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Nantes WAG, Liberal SC, Santos FM, Dario MA, Mukoyama LTH, Woidella KB, Rita PHS, Roque ALR, de Oliveira CE, Herrera HM, Jansen AM. Viperidae snakes infected by mammalian-associated trypanosomatids and a free-living kinetoplastid. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 123:105630. [PMID: 38936526 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105630] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids have achieved significant evolutionary success in parasitizing various groups, yet reptiles remain relatively unexplored. The utilization of advanced molecular tools has revealed an increased richness of trypanosomatids in vertebrate hosts. The aim of this study was to identify the trypanosomatid species infecting Bothrops moojeni and Crotalus durissus kept in captivity from 2000 to 2022. Blood samples were obtained from 106 snakes: 73C. durissus and 33 B. moojeni. Whole blood was collected for hemoculture, blood smears and centrifugated to obtain the blood clot that had its DNA extracted and submitted to Nested PCR (18S rDNA gene) to detect Trypanosomatidae. Positive samples were quantified and submitted to both conventional (Sanger) and next generation sequencing (NGS). Cloning of the amplified PCR product was performed for only one individual of C. durissus. To exclude the possibility of local vector transmission, attempts to capture sandflies were conducted using six CDC-LT type light traps. Molecular diagnosis revealed that 34% of the snakes presented trypanosomatid DNA, 47.94% in C. durissus and 3.9% in B. moojeni. The cloning process generated four colonies identified as a new MOTU named Trypanosomatidae sp. CROT. The presence of DNA of five trypanosomatids (Trypanosoma cruzi TcII/VI, Trypanosoma sp. DID, Trypanosoma cascavelli, Trypanosomatidae sp. CROT, Leishmania infantum and Leishmania sp.) and one free-living kinetoplastid (Neobodo sp.) was revealed through NGS and confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. The haplotypic network divided the T. cascavelli sequences into two groups, 1) marsupials and snakes and 2) exclusive to marsupials. Therefore, the diversity of Kinetoplastea is still underestimated. Snakes have the ability to maintain infection with T. cruzi and L. infantum for up to 20 years and the DNA finding of Neobodo sp. in the blood of a C. durissus suggests that this genus can infect vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Arruda Gimenes Nantes
- Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability Postgraduation, Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande, 79117-900, Brazil.
| | - Sany Caroline Liberal
- Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability Postgraduation, Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande, 79117-900, Brazil
| | - Filipe Martins Santos
- Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability Postgraduation, Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande, 79117-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Augusta Dario
- Laboratory of Trypanosomatid Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - André Luiz Rodrigues Roque
- Laboratory of Trypanosomatid Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Carina Elisei de Oliveira
- Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability Postgraduation, Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande, 79117-900, Brazil; Biotechnology Postgraduation, Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande 79117-900, Brazil
| | - Heitor Miraglia Herrera
- Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability Postgraduation, Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande, 79117-900, Brazil; Biotechnology Postgraduation, Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande 79117-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Jansen
- Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability Postgraduation, Dom Bosco Catholic University, Campo Grande, 79117-900, Brazil; Laboratory of Trypanosomatid Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
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MacInnis CI, Luong LT, Pernal SF. A tale of two parasites: Responses of honey bees infected with Nosema ceranae and Lotmaria passim. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22515. [PMID: 38110440 PMCID: PMC10728187 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49189-9] [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: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Nosema ceranae and Lotmaria passim are two commonly encountered digestive tract parasites of the honey bee that have been associated with colony losses in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Though honey bees can be co-infected with these parasites, we still lack basic information regarding how they impact bee health at the individual and colony level. Using locally-isolated parasite strains, we investigated the effect of single and co-infections of these parasites on individual honey bee survival, and their responsiveness to sucrose. Results showed that a single N. ceranae infection is more virulent than both single L. passim infections and co-infections. Honey bees singly infected with N. ceranae reached < 50% survival eight days earlier than those inoculated with L. passim alone, and four days earlier than those inoculated with both parasites. Honey bees infected with either one, or both, parasites had increased responsiveness to sucrose compared to uninfected bees, which could correspond to higher levels of hunger and increased energetic stress. Together, these findings suggest that N. ceranae and L. passim pose threats to bee health, and that the beekeeping industry should monitor for both parasites in an effort correlate pathogen status with changes in colony-level productivity and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney I MacInnis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada.
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, P.O. Box 29, Beaverlodge, AB, T0H 0C0, Canada.
| | - Lien T Luong
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Stephen F Pernal
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, P.O. Box 29, Beaverlodge, AB, T0H 0C0, Canada.
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Tullume-Vergara PO, Caicedo KYO, Tantalean JFC, Serrano MG, Buck GA, Teixeira MMG, Shaw JJ, Alves JMP. Genomes of Endotrypanum monterogeii from Panama and Zelonia costaricensis from Brazil: Expansion of Multigene Families in Leishmaniinae Parasites That Are Close Relatives of Leishmania spp. Pathogens 2023; 12:1409. [PMID: 38133293 PMCID: PMC10747355 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121409] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The Leishmaniinae subfamily of the Trypanosomatidae contains both genus Zelonia (monoxenous) and Endotrypanum (dixenous). They are amongst the nearest known relatives of Leishmania, which comprises many human pathogens widespread in the developing world. These closely related lineages are models for the genomic biology of monoxenous and dixenous parasites. Herein, we used comparative genomics to identify the orthologous groups (OGs) shared among 26 Leishmaniinae species to investigate gene family expansion/contraction and applied two phylogenomic approaches to confirm relationships within the subfamily. The Endotrypanum monterogeii and Zelonia costaricensis genomes were assembled, with sizes of 29.9 Mb and 38.0 Mb and 9.711 and 12.201 predicted protein-coding genes, respectively. The genome of E. monterogeii displayed a higher number of multicopy cell surface protein families, including glycoprotein 63 and glycoprotein 46, compared to Leishmania spp. The genome of Z. costaricensis presents expansions of BT1 and amino acid transporters and proteins containing leucine-rich repeat domains, as well as a loss of ABC-type transporters. In total, 415 and 85 lineage-specific OGs were identified in Z. costaricensis and E. monterogeii. The evolutionary relationships within the subfamily were confirmed using the supermatrix (3384 protein-coding genes) and supertree methods. Overall, this study showed new expansions of multigene families in monoxenous and dixenous parasites of the subfamily Leishmaniinae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Percy O. Tullume-Vergara
- Department of Parasitology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, Sao Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (P.O.T.-V.); (K.Y.O.C.); (J.F.C.T.); (M.M.G.T.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Kelly Y. O. Caicedo
- Department of Parasitology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, Sao Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (P.O.T.-V.); (K.Y.O.C.); (J.F.C.T.); (M.M.G.T.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Jose F. C. Tantalean
- Department of Parasitology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, Sao Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (P.O.T.-V.); (K.Y.O.C.); (J.F.C.T.); (M.M.G.T.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Myrna G. Serrano
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, 1101 E Marshall St., Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (M.G.S.); (G.A.B.)
| | - Gregory A. Buck
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, 1101 E Marshall St., Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (M.G.S.); (G.A.B.)
| | - Marta M. G. Teixeira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, Sao Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (P.O.T.-V.); (K.Y.O.C.); (J.F.C.T.); (M.M.G.T.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Jeffrey J. Shaw
- Department of Parasitology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, Sao Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (P.O.T.-V.); (K.Y.O.C.); (J.F.C.T.); (M.M.G.T.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Joao M. P. Alves
- Department of Parasitology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, Sao Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (P.O.T.-V.); (K.Y.O.C.); (J.F.C.T.); (M.M.G.T.); (J.J.S.)
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Albanaz ATS, Carrington M, Frolov AO, Ganyukova AI, Gerasimov ES, Kostygov AY, Lukeš J, Malysheva MN, Votýpka J, Zakharova A, Záhonová K, Zimmer SL, Yurchenko V, Butenko A. Shining the spotlight on the neglected: new high-quality genome assemblies as a gateway to understanding the evolution of Trypanosomatidae. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:471. [PMID: 37605127 PMCID: PMC10441713 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09591-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protists of the family Trypanosomatidae (phylum Euglenozoa) have gained notoriety as parasites affecting humans, domestic animals, and agricultural plants. However, the true extent of the group's diversity spreads far beyond the medically and veterinary relevant species. We address several knowledge gaps in trypanosomatid research by undertaking sequencing, assembly, and analysis of genomes from previously overlooked representatives of this protistan group. RESULTS We assembled genomes for twenty-one trypanosomatid species, with a primary focus on insect parasites and Trypanosoma spp. parasitizing non-human hosts. The assemblies exhibit sizes consistent with previously sequenced trypanosomatid genomes, ranging from approximately 18 Mb for Obscuromonas modryi to 35 Mb for Crithidia brevicula and Zelonia costaricensis. Despite being the smallest, the genome of O. modryi has the highest content of repetitive elements, contributing nearly half of its total size. Conversely, the highest proportion of unique DNA is found in the genomes of Wallacemonas spp., with repeats accounting for less than 8% of the assembly length. The majority of examined species exhibit varying degrees of aneuploidy, with trisomy being the most frequently observed condition after disomy. CONCLUSIONS The genome of Obscuromonas modryi represents a very unusual, if not unique, example of evolution driven by two antidromous forces: i) increasing dependence on the host leading to genomic shrinkage and ii) expansion of repeats causing genome enlargement. The observed variation in somy within and between trypanosomatid genera suggests that these flagellates are largely predisposed to aneuploidy and, apparently, exploit it to gain a fitness advantage. High heterogeneity in the genome size, repeat content, and variation in chromosome copy numbers in the newly-sequenced species highlight the remarkable genome plasticity exhibited by trypanosomatid flagellates. These new genome assemblies are a robust foundation for future research on the genetic basis of life cycle changes and adaptation to different hosts in the family Trypanosomatidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda T S Albanaz
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 710 00, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Mark Carrington
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Alexander O Frolov
- Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna I Ganyukova
- Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Evgeny S Gerasimov
- Faculty of Biology, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Sechenov University, 119435, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexei Y Kostygov
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 710 00, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Marina N Malysheva
- Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alexandra Zakharova
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 710 00, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Kristína Záhonová
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 710 00, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Sara L Zimmer
- Duluth Campus, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, 55812, USA
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 710 00, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
| | - Anzhelika Butenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, 710 00, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
- Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
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Barranco-Gómez O, De Paula JC, Parada JS, Gómez-Moracho T, Marfil AV, Zafra M, Orantes Bermejo FJ, Osuna A, De Pablos LM. Development of a TaqMan qPCR assay for trypanosomatid multi-species detection and quantification in insects. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:69. [PMID: 36788540 PMCID: PMC9930332 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05687-3] [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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosomatid parasites are widely distributed in nature and can have a monoxenous or dixenous life-cycle. These parasites thrive in a wide number of insect orders, some of which have an important economic and environmental value, such as bees. The objective of this study was to develop a robust and sensitive real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for detecting trypanosomatid parasites in any type of parasitized insect sample. METHODS A TaqMan qPCR assay based on a trypanosomatid-conserved region of the α-tubulin gene was standardized and evaluated. The limits of detection, sensitivity and versatility of the α-tubulin TaqMan assay were tested and validated using field samples of honeybee workers, wild bees, bumblebees and grasshoppers, as well as in the human infective trypanosomatid Leishmania major. RESULTS The assay showed a detection limit of 1 parasite equivalent/µl and successfully detected trypanosomatids in 10 different hosts belonging to the insect orders Hymenoptera and Orthoptera. The methodology was also tested using honeybee samples from four apiaries (n = 224 worker honeybees) located in the Alpujarra region (Granada, Spain). Trypanosomatids were detected in 2.7% of the honeybees, with an intra-colony prevalence of 0% to 13%. Parasite loads in the four different classes of insects ranged from 40.6 up to 1.1 × 108 cell equivalents per host. CONCLUSIONS These results show that the α-tubulin TaqMan qPCR assay described here is a versatile diagnostic tool for the accurate detection and quantification of trypanosomatids in a wide range of environmental settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Barranco-Gómez
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Jessica Carreira De Paula
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Jennifer Solano Parada
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Tamara Gómez-Moracho
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Vic Marfil
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - María Zafra
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Osuna
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel De Pablos
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain. .,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
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Palmer-Young EC, Markowitz LM, Grubbs K, Zhang Y, Corona M, Schwarz R, Chen Y, Evans JD. Antiparasitic effects of three floral volatiles on trypanosomatid infection in honey bees. J Invertebr Pathol 2022; 194:107830. [PMID: 36174749 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2022.107830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomatid gut parasites are common in pollinators and costly for social bees. The recently described honey bee trypanosomatid Lotmaria passim is widespread, abundant, and correlated with colony losses in some studies. The potential for amelioration of infection by antimicrobial plant compounds has been thoroughly studied for closely related trypanosomatids of humans and is an area of active research in bumble bees, but remains relatively unexplored in honey bees. We recently identified several floral volatiles that inhibited growth of L. passim in vitro. Here, we tested the dose-dependent effects of four such compounds on infection, mortality, and food consumption in parasite-inoculated honey bees. We found that diets containing the monoterpenoid carvacrol and the phenylpropanoids cinnamaldehyde and eugenol at >10-fold the inhibitory concentrations for cell cultures reduced infection, with parasite numbers decreased by >90% for carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde and >99% for eugenol; effects of the carvacrol isomer thymol were non-significant. However, both carvacrol and eugenol also reduced bee survival, whereas parasite inoculation did not, indicating costs of phytochemical exposure that could exceed those of infection itself. To our knowledge, this is the first controlled screening of phytochemicals for effects on honey bee trypanosomatid infection, identifying potential treatments for managed bees afflicted with a newly characterized, cosmopolitan intestinal parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsey M Markowitz
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA; Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Kyle Grubbs
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Miguel Corona
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Ryan Schwarz
- Department of Biology, Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO, USA
| | - Yanping Chen
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Jay D Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
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Molecular Detection and Differentiation of Arthropod, Fungal, Protozoan, Bacterial and Viral Pathogens of Honeybees. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9050221. [PMID: 35622749 PMCID: PMC9145064 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9050221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The honeybee Apis mellifera is highly appreciated worldwide because of its products, but also as it is a pollinator of crops and wild plants. The beehive is vulnerable to infections due to arthropods, fungi, protozoa, bacteria and/or viruses that manage to by-pass the individual and social immune mechanisms of bees. Due to the close proximity of bees in the beehive and their foraging habits, infections easily spread within and between beehives. Moreover, international trade of bees has caused the global spread of infections, several of which result in significant losses for apiculture. Only in a few cases can infections be diagnosed with the naked eye, by direct observation of the pathogen in the case of some arthropods, or by pathogen-associated distinctive traits. Development of molecular methods based on the amplification and analysis of one or more genes or genomic segments has brought significant progress to the study of bee pathogens, allowing for: (i) the precise and sensitive identification of the infectious agent; (ii) the analysis of co-infections; (iii) the description of novel species; (iv) associations between geno- and pheno-types and (v) population structure studies. Sequencing of bee pathogen genomes has allowed for the identification of new molecular targets and the development of specific genotypification strategies.
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8
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Palmer-Young EC, Schwarz RS, Chen Y, Evans JD. Punch in the gut: Parasite tolerance of phytochemicals reflects host diet. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:1805-1817. [PMID: 35315572 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Gut parasites of plant-eating insects are exposed to antimicrobial phytochemicals that can reduce infection. Trypanosomatid gut parasites infect insects of diverse nutritional ecologies as well as mammals and plants, raising the question of how host diet-associated phytochemicals shape parasite evolution and host specificity. To test the hypothesis that phytochemical tolerance of trypanosomatids reflects the chemical ecology of their hosts, we compared related parasites from honey bees and mosquitoes-hosts that differ in phytochemical consumption-and contrasted our results with previous studies on phylogenetically related, human-parasitic Leishmania. We identified one bacterial and ten plant-derived substances with known antileishmanial activity that also inhibited honey bee parasites associated with colony collapse. Bee parasites exhibited greater tolerance of chrysin-a flavonoid found in nectar, pollen, and plant resin-derived propolis. In contrast, mosquito parasites were more tolerant of cinnamic acid-a product of lignin decomposition present in woody debris-rich larval habitats. Parasites from both hosts tolerated many compounds that inhibit Leishmania, hinting at possible trade-offs between phytochemical tolerance and mammalian infection. Our results implicate the phytochemistry of host diets as a potential driver of insect-trypanosomatid associations, and identify compounds that could be incorporated into colony diets or floral landscapes to ameliorate infection in bees. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan S Schwarz
- Department of Biology, Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO, USA
| | | | - Jay D Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Lab, Beltsville, MD, USA
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Genomics of Trypanosomatidae: Where We Stand and What Needs to Be Done? Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091124. [PMID: 34578156 PMCID: PMC8472099 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are easy to cultivate and they are (in many cases) amenable to genetic manipulation. Genome sequencing has become a standard tool routinely used in the study of these flagellates. In this review, we summarize the current state of the field and our vision of what needs to be done in order to achieve a more comprehensive picture of trypanosomatid evolution. This will also help to illuminate the lineage-specific proteins and pathways, which can be used as potential targets in treating diseases caused by these parasites.
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10
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Maldonado E, Morales-Pison S, Urbina F, Solari A. Molecular and Functional Characteristics of DNA Polymerase Beta-Like Enzymes From Trypanosomatids. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:670564. [PMID: 34422676 PMCID: PMC8375306 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.670564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are a group of primitive unicellular eukaryotes that can cause diseases in plants, insects, animals, and humans. Kinetoplast genome integrity is key to trypanosomatid cell survival and viability. Kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) is usually under attack by reactive oxygen and nitric species (ROS and RNS), damaging the DNA, and the cells must remove and repair those oxidatively generated lesions in order to survive and proliferate. Base excision repair (BER) is a well-conserved pathway for DNA repair after base damage, single-base loss, and single-strand breaks, which can arise from ROS, RSN, environmental genotoxic agents, and UV irradiation. A powerful BER system has been described in the T. cruzi kinetoplast and it is mainly carried out by DNA polymerase β (pol β) and DNA polymerase β-PAK (pol β-PAK), which are kinetoplast-located in T. cruzi as well as in other trypanosomatids. Both pol β and pol β-PAK belong to the X-family of DNA polymerases (pol X family), perform BER in trypanosomatids, and display intrinsic 5-deoxyribose phosphate (dRP) lyase and DNA polymerase activities. However, only Pol β-PAK is able to carry out trans-lesion synthesis (TLS) across 8oxoG lesions. T. cruzi cells overexpressing pol β are more resistant to ROS and are also more efficient to repair 8oxoG compared to control cells. Pol β seems to play a role in kDNA replication, since it associates with kinetoplast antipodal sites in those development stages in trypanosomatids which are competent for cell replication. ROS treatment of cells induces the overexpression of pol β, indicating that plays a role in kDNA repair. In this review, we will summarize the main features of trypanosomatid minicircle kDNA replication and the biochemical characteristics of pol β-like enzymes and their involvement in BER and kDNA replication. We also summarize key structural features of trypanosomatid pol β compared to their mammalian (human) counterpart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edio Maldonado
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastian Morales-Pison
- Laboratorio de Genética Molecular Humana, Programa de Genética Humana, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fabiola Urbina
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Aldo Solari
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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11
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Nanetti A, Bortolotti L, Cilia G. Pathogens Spillover from Honey Bees to Other Arthropods. Pathogens 2021; 10:1044. [PMID: 34451508 PMCID: PMC8400633 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees, and pollinators in general, play a major role in the health of ecosystems. There is a consensus about the steady decrease in pollinator populations, which raises global ecological concern. Several drivers are implicated in this threat. Among them, honey bee pathogens are transmitted to other arthropods populations, including wild and managed pollinators. The western honey bee, Apis mellifera, is quasi-globally spread. This successful species acted as and, in some cases, became a maintenance host for pathogens. This systematic review collects and summarizes spillover cases having in common Apis mellifera as the mainteinance host and some of its pathogens. The reports are grouped by final host species and condition, year, and geographic area of detection and the co-occurrence in the same host. A total of eighty-one articles in the time frame 1960-2021 were included. The reported spillover cases cover a wide range of hymenopteran host species, generally living in close contact with or sharing the same environmental resources as the honey bees. They also involve non-hymenopteran arthropods, like spiders and roaches, which are either likely or unlikely to live in close proximity to honey bees. Specific studies should consider host-dependent pathogen modifications and effects on involved host species. Both the plasticity of bee pathogens and the ecological consequences of spillover suggest a holistic approach to bee health and the implementation of a One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Bortolotti
- Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Centre for Agriculture and Environment Research (CREA-AA), Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (A.N.); (G.C.)
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12
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McMenamin AJ, Parekh F, Lawrence V, Flenniken ML. Investigating Virus-Host Interactions in Cultured Primary Honey Bee Cells. INSECTS 2021; 12:653. [PMID: 34357313 PMCID: PMC8329929 DOI: 10.3390/insects12070653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Honey bee (Apis mellifera) health is impacted by viral infections at the colony, individual bee, and cellular levels. To investigate honey bee antiviral defense mechanisms at the cellular level we further developed the use of cultured primary cells, derived from either larvae or pupae, and demonstrated that these cells could be infected with a panel of viruses, including common honey bee infecting viruses (i.e., sacbrood virus (SBV) and deformed wing virus (DWV)) and an insect model virus, Flock House virus (FHV). Virus abundances were quantified over the course of infection. The production of infectious virions in cultured honey bee pupal cells was demonstrated by determining that naïve cells became infected after the transfer of deformed wing virus or Flock House virus from infected cell cultures. Initial characterization of the honey bee antiviral immune responses at the cellular level indicated that there were virus-specific responses, which included increased expression of bee antiviral protein-1 (GenBank: MF116383) in SBV-infected pupal cells and increased expression of argonaute-2 and dicer-like in FHV-infected hemocytes and pupal cells. Additional studies are required to further elucidate virus-specific honey bee antiviral defense mechanisms. The continued use of cultured primary honey bee cells for studies that involve multiple viruses will address this knowledge gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J. McMenamin
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (A.J.M.); (F.P.); (V.L.)
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Fenali Parekh
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (A.J.M.); (F.P.); (V.L.)
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Verena Lawrence
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (A.J.M.); (F.P.); (V.L.)
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Michelle L. Flenniken
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (A.J.M.); (F.P.); (V.L.)
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
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13
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Nanetti A, Ellis JD, Cardaio I, Cilia G. Detection of Lotmaria passim, Crithidia mellificae and Replicative Forms of Deformed Wing Virus and Kashmir Bee Virus in the Small Hive Beetle ( Aethina tumida). Pathogens 2021; 10:372. [PMID: 33808848 PMCID: PMC8003614 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge regarding the honey bee pathogens borne by invasive bee pests remains scarce. This investigation aimed to assess the presence in Aethina tumida (small hive beetle, SHB) adults of honey bee pathogens belonging to the following groups: (i) bacteria (Paenibacillus larvae and Melissococcus plutonius), (ii) trypanosomatids (Lotmaria passim and Crithidia mellificae), and (iii) viruses (black queen cell virus, Kashmir bee virus, deformed wing virus, slow paralysis virus, sacbrood virus, Israeli acute paralysis virus, acute bee paralysis virus, chronic bee paralysis virus). Specimens were collected from free-flying colonies in Gainesville (Florida, USA) in summer 2017. The results of the molecular analysis show the presence of L. passim, C. mellificae, and replicative forms of deformed wing virus (DWV) and Kashmir bee virus (KBV). Replicative forms of KBV have not previously been reported. These results support the hypothesis of pathogen spillover between managed honey bees and the SHB, and these dynamics require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Nanetti
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (A.N.); (I.C.)
| | - James D. Ellis
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Dr., P.O. Box 110620, Gainesville, FL 32607-0620, USA;
| | - Ilaria Cardaio
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (A.N.); (I.C.)
| | - Giovanni Cilia
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (A.N.); (I.C.)
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14
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Daughenbaugh KF, Kahnonitch I, Carey CC, McMenamin AJ, Wiegand T, Erez T, Arkin N, Ross B, Wiedenheft B, Sadeh A, Chejanovsky N, Mandelik Y, Flenniken ML. Metatranscriptome Analysis of Sympatric Bee Species Identifies Bee Virus Variants and a New Virus, Andrena-Associated Bee Virus-1. Viruses 2021; 13:291. [PMID: 33673324 PMCID: PMC7917660 DOI: 10.3390/v13020291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bees are important plant pollinators in agricultural and natural ecosystems. High average annual losses of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in some parts of the world, and regional population declines of some mining bee species (Andrena spp.), are attributed to multiple factors including habitat loss, lack of quality forage, insecticide exposure, and pathogens, including viruses. While research has primarily focused on viruses in honey bees, many of these viruses have a broad host range. It is therefore important to apply a community level approach in studying the epidemiology of bee viruses. We utilized high-throughput sequencing to evaluate viral diversity and viral sharing in sympatric, co-foraging bees in the context of habitat type. Variants of four common viruses (i.e., black queen cell virus, deformed wing virus, Lake Sinai virus 2, and Lake Sinai virus NE) were identified in honey bee and mining bee samples, and the high degree of nucleotide identity in the virus consensus sequences obtained from both taxa indicates virus sharing. We discovered a unique bipartite + ssRNA Tombo-like virus, Andrena-associated bee virus-1 (AnBV-1). AnBV-1 infects mining bees, honey bees, and primary honey bee pupal cells maintained in culture. AnBV-1 prevalence and abundance was greater in mining bees than in honey bees. Statistical modeling that examined the roles of ecological factors, including floral diversity and abundance, indicated that AnBV-1 infection prevalence in honey bees was greater in habitats with low floral diversity and abundance, and that interspecific virus transmission is strongly modulated by the floral community in the habitat. These results suggest that land management strategies that aim to enhance floral diversity and abundance may reduce AnBV-1 spread between co-foraging bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie F. Daughenbaugh
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (K.F.D.); (B.R.)
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (C.C.C.); (A.J.M.); (T.W.)
| | - Idan Kahnonitch
- The Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 5290002, Israel; (I.K.); (Y.M.)
- Agroecology Lab, Newe Ya’ar Research Center, ARO, Ramat Yishay 30095, Israel; (N.A.); (A.S.)
| | - Charles C. Carey
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (C.C.C.); (A.J.M.); (T.W.)
| | - Alexander J. McMenamin
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (C.C.C.); (A.J.M.); (T.W.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA;
| | - Tanner Wiegand
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (C.C.C.); (A.J.M.); (T.W.)
| | - Tal Erez
- Entomology Department, ARO, The Volcani Center, Rishon Lezion 7528809, Israel; (T.E.); (N.C.)
| | - Naama Arkin
- Agroecology Lab, Newe Ya’ar Research Center, ARO, Ramat Yishay 30095, Israel; (N.A.); (A.S.)
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Brian Ross
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (K.F.D.); (B.R.)
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (C.C.C.); (A.J.M.); (T.W.)
| | - Blake Wiedenheft
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA;
| | - Asaf Sadeh
- Agroecology Lab, Newe Ya’ar Research Center, ARO, Ramat Yishay 30095, Israel; (N.A.); (A.S.)
| | - Nor Chejanovsky
- Entomology Department, ARO, The Volcani Center, Rishon Lezion 7528809, Israel; (T.E.); (N.C.)
| | - Yael Mandelik
- The Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 5290002, Israel; (I.K.); (Y.M.)
| | - Michelle L. Flenniken
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (K.F.D.); (B.R.)
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (C.C.C.); (A.J.M.); (T.W.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA;
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15
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Ebiloma GU, Ichoron N, Siheri W, Watson DG, Igoli JO, De Koning HP. The Strong Anti-Kinetoplastid Properties of Bee Propolis: Composition and Identification of the Active Agents and Their Biochemical Targets. Molecules 2020; 25:E5155. [PMID: 33167520 PMCID: PMC7663965 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The kinetoplastids are protozoa characterized by the presence of a distinctive organelle, called the kinetoplast, which contains a large amount of DNA (kinetoplast DNA (kDNA)) inside their single mitochondrion. Kinetoplastids of medical and veterinary importance include Trypanosoma spp. (the causative agents of human and animal African Trypanosomiasis and of Chagas disease) and Leishmania spp. (the causative agents of the various forms of leishmaniasis). These neglected diseases affect millions of people across the globe, but drug treatment is hampered by the challenges of toxicity and drug resistance, among others. Propolis (a natural product made by bees) and compounds isolated from it are now being investigated as novel treatments of kinetoplastid infections. The anti-kinetoplastid efficacy of propolis is probably a consequence of its reported activity against kinetoplastid parasites of bees. This article presents a review of the reported anti-kinetoplastid potential of propolis, highlighting its anti-kinetoplastid activity in vitro and in vivo regardless of geographical origin. The mode of action of propolis depends on the organism it is acting on and includes growth inhibition, immunomodulation, macrophage activation, perturbation of the cell membrane architecture, phospholipid disturbances, and mitochondrial targets. This gives ample scope for further investigations toward the rational development of sustainable anti-kinetoplastid drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godwin U. Ebiloma
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK;
| | - Nahandoo Ichoron
- Phytochemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi 2373, Nigeria; (N.I.) (J.O.I.)
| | - Weam Siheri
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK; (W.S.), (D.G.W.)
| | - David G. Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK; (W.S.), (D.G.W.)
| | - John O. Igoli
- Phytochemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi 2373, Nigeria; (N.I.) (J.O.I.)
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK; (W.S.), (D.G.W.)
| | - Harry P. De Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
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Longitudinal monitoring of honey bee colonies reveals dynamic nature of virus abundance and indicates a negative impact of Lake Sinai virus 2 on colony health. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237544. [PMID: 32898160 PMCID: PMC7478651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are important pollinators of plants, including those that produce nut, fruit, and vegetable crops. Therefore, high annual losses of managed honey bee colonies in the United States and many other countries threaten global agriculture. Honey bee colony deaths have been associated with multiple abiotic and biotic factors, including pathogens, but the impact of virus infections on honey bee colony population size and survival are not well understood. To further investigate seasonal patterns of pathogen presence and abundance and the impact of viruses on honey bee colony health, commercially managed colonies involved in the 2016 California almond pollination event were monitored for one year. At each sample date, colony health and pathogen burden were assessed. Data from this 50-colony cohort study illustrate the dynamic nature of honey bee colony health and the temporal patterns of virus infection. Black queen cell virus, deformed wing virus, sacbrood virus, and the Lake Sinai viruses were the most readily detected viruses in honey bee samples obtained throughout the year. Analyses of virus prevalence and abundance revealed pathogen-specific trends including the overall increase in deformed wing virus abundance from summer to fall, while the levels of Lake Sinai virus 2 (LSV2) decreased over the same time period. Though virus prevalence and abundance varied in individual colonies, analyses of the overall trends reveal correlation with sample date. Total virus abundance increased from November 2015 (post-honey harvest) to the end of the almond pollination event in March 2016, which coincides with spring increase in colony population size. Peak total virus abundance occurred in late fall (August and October 2016), which correlated with the time period when the majority of colonies died. Honey bee colonies with larger populations harbored less LSV2 than weaker colonies with smaller populations, suggesting an inverse relationship between colony health and LSV2 abundance. Together, data from this and other longitudinal studies at the colony level are forming a better understanding of the impact of viruses on honey bee colony losses.
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Gómez-Moracho T, Buendía-Abad M, Benito M, García-Palencia P, Barrios L, Bartolomé C, Maside X, Meana A, Jiménez-Antón MD, Olías-Molero AI, Alunda JM, Martín-Hernández R, Higes M. Experimental evidence of harmful effects of Crithidia mellificae and Lotmaria passim on honey bees. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:1117-1124. [PMID: 32822679 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The trypanosomatids Crithidia mellificae and Lotmaria passim are very prevalent in honey bee colonies and potentially contribute to colony losses that currently represent a serious threat to honey bees. However, potential pathogenicity of these trypanosomatids remains unclear and since studies of infection are scarce, there is little information about the virulence of their different morphotypes. Hence, we first cultured C. mellificae and L. passim (ATCC reference strains) in six different culture media to analyse their growth rates and to obtain potentially infective morphotypes. Both C. mellificae and L. passim grew in five of the media tested, with the exception of M199. These trypanosomatids multiplied fastest in BHI medium, in which they reached a stationary phase after around 96 h of growth. Honey bees inoculated with either Crithidia or Lotmaria died faster than control bees and their mortality was highest when they were inoculated with 96 h cultured L. passim. Histological and Electron Microscopy analyses revealed flagellated morphotypes of Crithidia and Lotmaria in the lumen of the ileum, and adherent non-flagellated L. passim morphotypes covering the epithelium, although no lesions were evident. These data indicate that parasitic forms of these trypanosomatids obtained from the early stationary growth phase infect honey bees. Therefore, efficient infection can be achieved to study their intra-host development and to assess the potential pathogenicity of these trypanosomatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Gómez-Moracho
- Research Centre on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Centre for Integrative Biology (CBI), University Paul Sabatier, CNRS, UPS, France
| | - María Buendía-Abad
- IRIAF. Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - María Benito
- IRIAF. Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Pilar García-Palencia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Barrios
- Consejo Superior Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), SGAI, Departamento de Estadística, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Bartolomé
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain; Grupo de Xenómica Comparada de Parásitos. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Xulio Maside
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain; Grupo de Xenómica Comparada de Parásitos. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Aránzazu Meana
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Dolores Jiménez-Antón
- Department of Animal Health, Group ICPVet, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Olías-Molero
- Department of Animal Health, Group ICPVet, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José María Alunda
- Department of Animal Health, Group ICPVet, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- IRIAF. Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain; Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología (INCRECYT-FEDER), Fundación Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Castilla - La Mancha, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- IRIAF. Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain.
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Boucinha C, Caetano AR, Santos HLC, Helaers R, Vikkula M, Branquinha MH, dos Santos ALS, Grellier P, Morelli KA, d‘Avila-Levy CM. Analysing ambiguities in trypanosomatids taxonomy by barcoding. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2020; 115:e200504. [PMID: 32578684 PMCID: PMC7304411 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biodiversity screens and phylogenetic studies are dependent on reliable DNA sequences in public databases. Biological collections possess vouchered specimens with a traceable history. Therefore, DNA sequencing of samples available at institutional collections can greatly contribute to taxonomy, and studies on evolution and biodiversity. METHODS We sequenced part of the glycosomal glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) and the SSU rRNA (V7/V8) genes from 102 trypanosomatid cultures, which are available on request at www.colprot.fiocruz.br. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this work was to use phylogenetic inferences, using the obtained DNA sequences and those from representatives of all Trypanosomatidae genera, to generate phylogenetic trees that can simplify new isolates screenings. FINDINGS A DNA sequence is provided for the first time for several isolates, the phylogenetic analysis allowed the classification or reclassification of several specimens, identification of candidates for new genera and species, as well as the taxonomic validation of several deposits. MAIN CONCLUSIONS This survey aimed at presenting a list of validated species and their associated DNA sequences combined with a short historical overview of each isolate, which can support taxonomic and biodiversity research and promote culture collections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Boucinha
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Coleção de Protozoários da Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Amanda R Caetano
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Coleção de Protozoários da Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Helena LC Santos
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Coleção de Protozoários da Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Raphael Helaers
- University of Louvain, de Duve Institute, Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Miikka Vikkula
- University of Louvain, de Duve Institute, Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marta Helena Branquinha
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Philippe Grellier
- Muséum National d‘Histoire Naturelle, Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganisme, Paris, France
| | - Karina Alessandra Morelli
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Coleção de Protozoários da Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes, Departamento de Ecologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Claudia Masini d‘Avila-Levy
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Coleção de Protozoários da Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
- University of Louvain, de Duve Institute, Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Brussels, Belgium
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19
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Kaufer A, Stark D, Ellis J. A review of the systematics, species identification and diagnostics of the Trypanosomatidae using the maxicircle kinetoplast DNA: from past to present. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:449-460. [PMID: 32333942 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The Trypanosomatid family are a diverse and widespread group of protozoan parasites that belong to the higher order class Kinetoplastida. Containing predominantly monoxenous species (i.e. those having only a single host) that are confined to invertebrate hosts, this class is primarily known for its pathogenic dixenous species (i.e. those that have two hosts), serving as the aetiological agents of the important neglected tropical diseases including leishmaniasis, American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) and human African trypanosomiasis. Over the past few decades, a multitude of studies have investigated the diversity, classification and evolutionary history of the trypanosomatid family using different approaches and molecular targets. The mitochondrial-like DNA of the trypanosomatid parasites, also known as the kinetoplast, has emerged as a unique taxonomic and diagnostic target for exploring the evolution of this diverse group of parasitic eukaryotes. This review discusses recent advancements and important developments that have made a significant impact in the field of trypanosomatid systematics and diagnostics in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Kaufer
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Damien Stark
- Department of Microbiology, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - John Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
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20
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Jiménez-González A, Xu F, Andersson JO. Lateral Acquisitions Repeatedly Remodel the Oxygen Detoxification Pathway in Diplomonads and Relatives. Genome Biol Evol 2020; 11:2542-2556. [PMID: 31504492 PMCID: PMC6934886 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evz188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxygen and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important stress factors for cells because they can oxidize many large molecules. Fornicata, a group of flagellated protists that includes diplomonads, have anaerobic metabolism but are still able to tolerate fluctuating levels of oxygen. We identified 25 protein families putatively involved in detoxification of oxygen and ROS in this group using a bioinformatics approach and propose how these interact in an oxygen detoxification pathway. These protein families were divided into a central oxygen detoxification pathway and accessory pathways for the synthesis of nonprotein thiols. We then used a phylogenetic approach to investigate the evolutionary origin of the components of this putative pathway in Diplomonadida and other Fornicata species. Our analyses suggested that the diplomonad ancestor was adapted to low-oxygen levels, was able to reduce O2 to H2O in a manner similar to extant diplomonads, and was able to synthesize glutathione and l-cysteine. Several genes involved in the pathway have complex evolutionary histories and have apparently been repeatedly acquired through lateral gene transfer and subsequently lost. At least seven genes were acquired independently in different Fornicata lineages, leading to evolutionary convergences. It is likely that acquiring these oxygen detoxification proteins helped anaerobic organisms (like the parasitic Giardia intestinalis) adapt to low-oxygen environments (such as the digestive tract of aerobic hosts).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Jiménez-González
- Uppsala Biomedicine Centre, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Molecular Evolution Program, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Feifei Xu
- Uppsala Biomedicine Centre, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology Program, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Jan O Andersson
- Uppsala Biomedicine Centre, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Molecular Evolution Program, Uppsala University, Sweden
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21
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Liu Q, Lei J, Darby AC, Kadowaki T. Trypanosomatid parasite dynamically changes the transcriptome during infection and modifies honey bee physiology. Commun Biol 2020; 3:51. [PMID: 32005933 PMCID: PMC6994608 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0775-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It is still not understood how honey bee parasite changes the gene expression to adapt to the host environment and how the host simultaneously responds to the parasite infection by modifying its own gene expression. To address this question, we studied a trypanosomatid, Lotmaria passim, which can be cultured in medium and inhabit the honey bee hindgut. We found that L. passim decreases mRNAs associated with protein translation, glycolysis, detoxification of radical oxygen species, and kinetoplast respiratory chain to adapt to the anaerobic and nutritionally poor honey bee hindgut during the infection. After the long term infection, the host appears to be in poor nutritional status, indicated by the increase and decrease of take-out and vitellogenin mRNAs, respectively. Simultaneous gene expression profiling of L. passim and honey bee during infection by dual RNA-seq provided insight into how both parasite and host modify their gene expressions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiushi Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Jing Lei
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Alistair C Darby
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Tatsuhiko Kadowaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China.
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22
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Sloan MA, Brooks K, Otto TD, Sanders MJ, Cotton JA, Ligoxygakis P. Transcriptional and genomic parallels between the monoxenous parasite Herpetomonas muscarum and Leishmania. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008452. [PMID: 31710597 PMCID: PMC6872171 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatid parasites are causative agents of important human and animal diseases such as sleeping sickness and leishmaniasis. Most trypanosomatids are transmitted to their mammalian hosts by insects, often belonging to Diptera (or true flies). These are called dixenous trypanosomatids since they infect two different hosts, in contrast to those that infect just insects (monoxenous). However, it is still unclear whether dixenous and monoxenous trypanosomatids interact similarly with their insect host, as fly-monoxenous trypanosomatid interaction systems are rarely reported and under-studied-despite being common in nature. Here we present the genome of monoxenous trypanosomatid Herpetomonas muscarum and discuss its transcriptome during in vitro culture and during infection of its natural insect host Drosophila melanogaster. The H. muscarum genome is broadly syntenic with that of human parasite Leishmania major. We also found strong similarities between the H. muscarum transcriptome during fruit fly infection, and those of Leishmania during sand fly infections. Overall this suggests Drosophila-Herpetomonas is a suitable model for less accessible insect-trypanosomatid host-parasite systems such as sand fly-Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A. Sloan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Brooks
- The Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hixton, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas D. Otto
- The Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hixton, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Mandy J. Sanders
- The Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hixton, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - James A. Cotton
- The Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hixton, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Petros Ligoxygakis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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23
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Horáková E, Faktorová D, Kraeva N, Kaur B, Van Den Abbeele J, Yurchenko V, Lukeš J. Catalase compromises the development of the insect and mammalian stages of Trypanosoma brucei. FEBS J 2019; 287:964-977. [PMID: 31593329 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Catalase is a widespread heme-containing enzyme, which converts hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) to water and molecular oxygen, thereby protecting cells from the toxic effects of H2 O2 . Trypanosoma brucei is an aerobic protist, which conspicuously lacks this potent enzyme, present in virtually all organisms exposed to oxidative stress. To uncover the reasons for its absence in T. brucei, we overexpressed different catalases in procyclic and bloodstream stages of the parasite. The heterologous enzymes originated from the related insect-confined trypanosomatid Crithidia fasciculata and the human. While the trypanosomatid enzyme (cCAT) operates at low temperatures, its human homolog (hCAT) is adapted to the warm-blooded environment. Despite the presence of peroxisomal targeting signal in hCAT, both human and C. fasciculata catalases localized to the cytosol of T. brucei. Even though cCAT was efficiently expressed in both life cycle stages, the enzyme was active in the procyclic stage, increasing cell's resistance to the H2 O2 stress, yet its activity was suppressed in the cultured bloodstream stage. Surprisingly, following the expression of hCAT, the ability to establish the T. brucei infection in the tsetse fly midgut was compromised. In the mouse model, hCAT attenuated parasitemia and, consequently, increased the host's survival. Hence, we suggest that the activity of catalase in T. brucei is beneficial in vitro, yet it becomes detrimental for parasite's proliferation in both invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, leading to an inability to carry this, otherwise omnipresent, enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Horáková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Drahomíra Faktorová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Natalia Kraeva
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Binnypreet Kaur
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Jan Van Den Abbeele
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic.,Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
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24
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Ribeiro YC, Robe LJ, Veluza DS, Dos Santos CMB, Lopes ALK, Krieger MA, Ludwig A. Study of VIPER and TATE in kinetoplastids and the evolution of tyrosine recombinase retrotransposons. Mob DNA 2019; 10:34. [PMID: 31391870 PMCID: PMC6681497 DOI: 10.1186/s13100-019-0175-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Kinetoplastids are a flagellated group of protists, including some parasites, such as Trypanosoma and Leishmania species, that can cause diseases in humans and other animals. The genomes of these species enclose a fraction of retrotransposons including VIPER and TATE, two poorly studied transposable elements that encode a tyrosine recombinase (YR) and were previously classified as DIRS elements. This study investigated the distribution and evolution of VIPER and TATE in kinetoplastids to understand the relationships of these elements with other retrotransposons. Results We observed that VIPER and TATE have a discontinuous distribution among Trypanosomatidae, with several events of loss and degeneration occurring during a vertical transfer evolution. We were able to identify the terminal repeats of these elements for the first time, and we showed that these elements are potentially active in some species, including T. cruzi copies of VIPER. We found that VIPER and TATE are strictly related elements, which were named in this study as VIPER-like. The reverse transcriptase (RT) tree presented a low resolution, and the origin and relationships among YR groups remain uncertain. Conversely, for RH, VIPER-like grouped with Hepadnavirus, whereas for YR, VIPER-like sequences constituted two different clades that are closely allied to Crypton. Distinct topologies among RT, RH and YR trees suggest ancient rearrangements/exchanges in domains and a modular pattern of evolution with putative independent origins for each ORF. Conclusions Due to the presence of both elements in Bodo saltans, a nontrypanosomatid species, we suggested that VIPER and TATE have survived and remained active for more than 400 million years or were reactivated during the evolution of the host species. We did not find clear evidence of independent origins of VIPER-like from the other YR retroelements, supporting the maintenance of the DIRS group of retrotransposons. Nevertheless, according to phylogenetic findings and sequence structure obtained by this study and other works, we proposed separating DIRS elements into four subgroups: DIRS-like, PAT-like, Ngaro-like, and VIPER-like. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13100-019-0175-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Carla Ribeiro
- 1Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR Brazil
| | - Lizandra Jaqueline Robe
- 2Departamento de Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS Brazil
| | | | | | - Ana Luisa Kalb Lopes
- 1Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR Brazil
| | | | - Adriana Ludwig
- 4Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Curitiba, PR Brazil
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25
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Liu Q, Lei J, Kadowaki T. Gene Disruption of Honey Bee Trypanosomatid Parasite, Lotmaria passim, by CRISPR/Cas9 System. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:126. [PMID: 31080782 PMCID: PMC6497781 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Two trypanosomatid species, Lotmaria passim and Crithidia mellificae, have been shown to parasitize honey bees to date. L. passim appears to be more prevalent than C. mellificae and specifically infects the honey bee hindgut. Although the genomic DNA has been sequenced, the effects of infection on honey bee health and colony are poorly understood. To identify the genes that are important for infecting honey bees and to understand their functions, we applied the CRISPR/Cas9 system to establish a method to manipulate L. passim genes. By electroporation of plasmid DNA and subsequent selection by drug, we first established an L. passim clone expressing tdTomato or Cas9. We also successfully disrupted the endogenous miltefosine transporter and tyrosine aminotransferase genes by replacement with drug (hygromycin) resistant gene using the CRISPR/Cas9-induced homology-directed repair pathway. The L. passim clone expressing fluorescent marker, as well as the simple method for editing specific genes, could become useful approaches to understand the underlying mechanisms of honey bee-trypanosomatid parasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tatsuhiko Kadowaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
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26
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Double-stranded RNA reduces growth rates of the gut parasite Crithidia mellificae. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:715-721. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6176-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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27
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Abstract
Gut symbionts can augment resistance to pathogens by stimulating host-immune responses, competing for space and nutrients, or producing antimicrobial metabolites. Gut microbiota of social bees, which pollinate many crops and wildflowers, protect hosts against diverse infections and might counteract pathogen-related bee declines. Bumble bee gut microbiota, and specifically abundance of Lactobacillus 'Firm-5' bacteria, can enhance resistance to the trypanosomatid parasite Crithidia bombi. However, the mechanism underlying this effect remains unknown. We hypothesized that the Firm-5 bacterium Lactobacillus bombicola, which produces lactic acid, inhibits C. bombi via pH-mediated effects. Consistent with our hypothesis, L. bombicola spent medium inhibited C. bombi growth via reduction in pH that was both necessary and sufficient for inhibition. Inhibition of all parasite strains occurred within the pH range documented in honey bees, though sensitivity to acidity varied among strains. Spent medium was slightly more potent than HCl, d- and l-lactic acids for a given pH, suggesting that other metabolites also contribute to inhibition. Results implicate symbiont-mediated reduction in gut pH as a key determinant of trypanosomatid infection in bees. Future investigation into in vivo effects of gut microbiota on pH and infection intensity would test the relevance of these findings for bees threatened by trypanosomatids.
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28
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McMenamin AJ, Flenniken ML. Recently identified bee viruses and their impact on bee pollinators. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2018; 26:120-129. [PMID: 29764651 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Bees are agriculturally and ecologically important plant pollinators. Recent high annual losses of honey bee colonies, and reduced populations of native and wild bees in some geographic locations, may impact the availability of affordable food crops and the diversity and abundance of native and wild plant species. Multiple factors including viral infections affect pollinator health. The majority of well-characterized bee viruses are picorna-like RNA viruses, which may be maintained as covert infections or cause symptomatic infections or death. Next generation sequencing technologies have been utilized to identify additional bee-infecting viruses including the Lake Sinai viruses and Rhabdoviruses. In addition, sequence data is instrumental for defining specific viral strains and characterizing associated pathogenicity, such as the recent characterization of Deformed wing virus master variants (DWV-A, DWV-B, and DWV-C) and their impact on bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J McMenamin
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA; Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Michelle L Flenniken
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA; Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.
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29
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Trypanosomatids Are Much More than Just Trypanosomes: Clues from the Expanded Family Tree. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:466-480. [PMID: 29605546 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomes and leishmanias are widely known parasites of humans. However, they are just two out of several phylogenetic lineages that constitute the family Trypanosomatidae. Although dixeny - the ability to infect two hosts - is a derived trait of vertebrate-infecting parasites, the majority of trypanosomatids are monoxenous. Like their common ancestor, the monoxenous Trypanosomatidae are mostly parasites or commensals of insects. This review covers recent advances in the study of insect trypanosomatids, highlighting their diversity as well as genetic, morphological and biochemical complexity, which, until recently, was underappreciated. The investigation of insect trypanosomatids is providing an important foundation for understanding the origin and evolution of parasitism, including colonization of vertebrates and the appearance of human pathogens.
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30
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Silva Pereira S, Jackson AP. UDP-glycosyltransferase genes in trypanosomatid genomes have diversified independently to meet the distinct developmental needs of parasite adaptations. BMC Evol Biol 2018; 18:31. [PMID: 29540192 PMCID: PMC5853035 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1149-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosomatid parasites such as Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp. are a major source of infectious disease in humans and domestic animals worldwide. Fundamental to the host-parasite interactions of these potent pathogens are their cell surfaces, which are highly decorated with glycosylated proteins and other macromolecules. Trypanosomatid genomes contain large multi-copy gene families encoding UDP-dependent glycosyltransferases (UGTs), the primary role of which is cell-surface decoration. Here we report a phylogenetic analysis of UGTs from diverse trypanosomatid genomes, the aim of which was to understand the origin and evolution of their diversity. RESULTS By combining phylogenetics with analyses of recombination, and selection, we compared UGT repertoire, genomic context and sequence evolution across 19 trypanosomatids. We identified a UGT lineage present in stercorarian trypanosomes and a free-living kinetoplastid Bodo saltans that likely represents the ancestral state of this gene family. The phylogeny of parasite-specific genes shows that UGTs repertoire in Leishmaniinae and salivarian trypanosomes has expanded independently and with distinct evolutionary dynamics. In the former, the ancestral UGT repertoire was organised in a tandem array from which sporadic transpositions to telomeric regions occurred, allowing expansion most likely through telomeric exchange. In the latter, the ancestral UGT repertoire was comprised of seven subtelomeric lineages, two of which have greatly expanded potentially by gene transposition between these dynamic regions of the genome. CONCLUSIONS The phylogeny of UGTs confirms that they represent a substantial parasite-specific innovation, which has diversified independently in the distinct trypanosomatid lineages. Nonetheless, developmental regulation has been a strong driver of UGTs diversification in both African trypanosomes and Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Silva Pereira
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park Ic2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK.
| | - Andrew P Jackson
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park Ic2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
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31
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Schmid-Hempel P, Aebi M, Barribeau S, Kitajima T, du Plessis L, Schmid-Hempel R, Zoller S. The genomes of Crithidia bombi and C. expoeki, common parasites of bumblebees. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0189738. [PMID: 29304093 PMCID: PMC5755769 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids (Trypanosomatidae, Kinetoplastida) are flagellated protozoa containing many parasites of medical or agricultural importance. Among those, Crithidia bombi and C. expoeki, are common parasites in bumble bees around the world, and phylogenetically close to Leishmania and Leptomonas. They have a simple and direct life cycle with one host, and partially castrate the founding queens greatly reducing their fitness. Here, we report the nuclear genome sequences of one clone of each species, extracted from a field-collected infection. Using a combination of Roche 454 FLX Titanium, Pacific Biosciences PacBio RS, and Illumina GA2 instruments for C. bombi, and PacBio for C. expoeki, we could produce high-quality and well resolved sequences. We find that these genomes are around 32 and 34 MB, with 7,808 and 7,851 annotated genes for C. bombi and C. expoeki, respectively-which is somewhat less than reported from other trypanosomatids, with few introns, and organized in polycistronic units. A large fraction of genes received plausible functional support in comparison primarily with Leishmania and Trypanosoma. Comparing the annotated genes of the two species with those of six other trypanosomatids (C. fasciculata, L. pyrrhocoris, L. seymouri, B. ayalai, L. major, and T. brucei) shows similar gene repertoires and many orthologs. Similar to other trypanosomatids, we also find signs of concerted evolution in genes putatively involved in the interaction with the host, a high degree of synteny between C. bombi and C. expoeki, and considerable overlap with several other species in the set. A total of 86 orthologous gene groups show signatures of positive selection in the branch leading to the two Crithidia under study, mostly of unknown function. As an example, we examined the initiating glycosylation pathway of surface components in C. bombi, finding it deviates from most other eukaryotes and also from other kinetoplastids, which may indicate rapid evolution in the extracellular matrix that is involved in interactions with the host. Bumble bees are important pollinators and Crithidia-infections are suspected to cause substantial selection pressure on their host populations. These newly sequenced genomes provide tools that should help better understand host-parasite interactions in these pollinator pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Markus Aebi
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Seth Barribeau
- Institute of Integrative Biology (IBZ), ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Louis du Plessis
- Institute of Integrative Biology (IBZ), ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Stefan Zoller
- Genetic Diversity Centre (GDC), ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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32
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Glenny W, Cavigli I, Daughenbaugh KF, Radford R, Kegley SE, Flenniken ML. Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony health and pathogen composition in migratory beekeeping operations involved in California almond pollination. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182814. [PMID: 28817641 PMCID: PMC5560708 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bees are important pollinators of agricultural crops. Pathogens and other factors have been implicated in high annual losses of honey bee colonies in North America and some European countries. To further investigate the relationship between multiple factors, including pathogen prevalence and abundance and colony health, we monitored commercially managed migratory honey bee colonies involved in California almond pollination in 2014. At each sampling event, honey bee colony health was assessed, using colony population size as a proxy for health, and the prevalence and abundance of seven honey bee pathogens was evaluated using PCR and quantitative PCR, respectively. In this sample cohort, pathogen prevalence and abundance did not correlate with colony health, but did correlate with the date of sampling. In general, pathogen prevalence (i.e., the number of specific pathogens harbored within a colony) was lower early in the year (January-March) and was greater in the summer, with peak prevalence occurring in June. Pathogen abundance in individual honey bee colonies varied throughout the year and was strongly associated with the sampling date, and was influenced by beekeeping operation, colony health, and mite infestation level. Together, data from this and other observational cohort studies that monitor individual honey bee colonies and precisely account for sampling date (i.e., day of year) will lead to a better understanding of the influence of pathogens on colony mortality and the effects of other factors on these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Glenny
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Ian Cavigli
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Katie F. Daughenbaugh
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Rosemarie Radford
- Pesticide Research Institute, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Susan E. Kegley
- Pesticide Research Institute, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Michelle L. Flenniken
- Pollinator Health Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
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Kaufer A, Ellis J, Stark D, Barratt J. The evolution of trypanosomatid taxonomy. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:287. [PMID: 28595622 PMCID: PMC5463341 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2204-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are protozoan parasites of the class Kinetoplastida predominately restricted to invertebrate hosts (i.e. possess a monoxenous life-cycle). However, several genera are pathogenic to humans, animals and plants, and have an invertebrate vector that facilitates their transmission (i.e. possess a dixenous life-cycle). Phytomonas is one dixenous genus that includes several plant pathogens transmitted by phytophagous insects. Trypanosoma and Leishmania are dixenous genera that infect vertebrates, including humans, and are transmitted by hematophagous invertebrates. Traditionally, monoxenous trypanosomatids such as Leptomonas were distinguished from morphologically similar dixenous species based on their restriction to an invertebrate host. Nonetheless, this criterion is somewhat flawed as exemplified by Leptomonas seymouri which reportedly infects vertebrates opportunistically. Similarly, Novymonas and Zelonia are presumably monoxenous genera yet sit comfortably in the dixenous clade occupied by Leishmania. The isolation of Leishmania macropodum from a biting midge (Forcipomyia spp.) rather than a phlebotomine sand fly calls into question the exclusivity of the Leishmania-sand fly relationship, and its suitability for defining the Leishmania genus. It is now accepted that classic genus-defining characteristics based on parasite morphology and host range are insufficient to form the sole basis of trypanosomatid taxonomy as this has led to several instances of paraphyly. While improvements have been made, resolution of evolutionary relationships within the Trypanosomatidae is confounded by our incomplete knowledge of its true diversity. The known trypanosomatids probably represent a fraction of those that exist and isolation of new species will help resolve relationships in this group with greater accuracy. This review incites a dialogue on how our understanding of the relationships between certain trypanosomatids has shifted, and discusses new knowledge that informs the present taxonomy of these important parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Kaufer
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007 Australia
| | - John Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007 Australia
| | - Damien Stark
- Department of Microbiology, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010 Australia
| | - Joel Barratt
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007 Australia
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Palmer-Young EC, Thursfield L. Pollen extracts and constituent sugars increase growth of a trypanosomatid parasite of bumble bees. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3297. [PMID: 28503378 PMCID: PMC5426351 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Phytochemicals produced by plants, including at flowers, function in protection against plant diseases, and have a long history of use against trypanosomatid infection. Floral nectar and pollen, the sole food sources for many species of insect pollinators, contain phytochemicals that have been shown to reduce trypanosomatid infection in bumble and honey bees when fed as isolated compounds. Nectar and pollen, however, consist of phytochemical mixtures, which can have greater antimicrobial activity than do single compounds. This study tested the hypothesis that pollen extracts would inhibit parasite growth. Extracts of six different pollens were tested for direct inhibitory activity against cell cultures of the bumble bee trypanosomatid gut parasite Crithidia bombi. Surprisingly, pollen extracts increased parasite growth rather than inhibiting it. Pollen extracts contained high concentrations of sugars, mainly the monosaccharides glucose and fructose. Experimental manipulations of growth media showed that supplemental monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) increased maximum cell density, while a common floral phytochemical (caffeic acid) with inhibitory activity against other trypanosomatids had only weak inhibitory effects on Crithidia bombi. These results indicate that, although pollen is essential for bees and other pollinators, pollen may promote growth of intestinal parasites that are uninhibited by pollen phytochemicals and, as a result, can benefit from the nutrients that pollen provides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan C. Palmer-Young
- Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States of America
| | - Lucy Thursfield
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, United Kingdom
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Sepsis and Hemocyte Loss in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) Infected with Serratia marcescens Strain Sicaria. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167752. [PMID: 28002470 PMCID: PMC5176276 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Global loss of honey bee colonies is threatening the human food supply. Diverse pathogens reduce honey bee hardiness needed to sustain colonies, especially in winter. We isolated a free-living Gram negative bacillus from hemolymph of worker honey bees (Apis mellifera) found separated from winter clusters. In some hives, greater than 90% of the dying bees detached from the winter cluster were found to contain this bacterium in their hemolymph. Throughout the year, the same organism was rarely found in bees engaged in normal hive activities, but was detected in about half of Varroa destructor mites obtained from colonies that housed the septic bees. Flow cytometry of hemolymph from septic bees showed a significant reduction of plasmatocytes and other types of hemocytes. Interpretation of the16S rRNA sequence of the bacterium indicated that it belongs to the Serratia genus of Gram-negative Gammaproteobacteria, which has not previously been implicated as a pathogen of adult honey bees. Complete genome sequence analysis of the bacterium supported its classification as a novel strain of Serratia marcescens, which was designated as S. marcescens strain sicaria (Ss1). When compared with other strains of S. marcescens, Ss1 demonstrated several phenotypic and genetic differences, including 65 genes not previously found in other Serratia genomes. Some of the unique genes we identified in Ss1 were related to those from bacterial insect pathogens and commensals. Recovery of this organism extends a complex pathosphere of agents which may contribute to failure of honey bee colonies.
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Assessing the health status of managed honeybee colonies (HEALTHY-B): a toolbox to facilitate harmonised data collection. EFSA J 2016. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2016.4578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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37
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Large pathogen screening reveals first report of Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae) parasitizing Apis mellifera intermissa (Hymenoptera: Apidae). J Invertebr Pathol 2016; 137:33-37. [PMID: 27130035 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
As it is most likely that global warming will also lead to a shift in pollinator-habitats northwards, the study of southern species becomes more and more important. Pathogen screenings in subspecies of Apis mellifera capable of withstanding higher temperatures, provide an insight into future pathogen host interactions. Screenings in different climate regions also provide a global perspective on the prevalence of certain pathogens. In this project, we performed a pathogen screening in Apis mellifera intermissa, a native subspecies of Algeria in northern Africa. Colonies were sampled from different areas in the region of Annaba over a period of two years. Several pathogens were detected, among them Apicystis bombi, Crithidia mellificae, Nosema ceranae, Paenibacillus larvae, Lake Sinai Virus, Sacbrood Virus and Deformed Wing Virus (DWV). Our screening also revealed a phoroid fly, Megaselia scalaris, parasitizing honey bee colonies, which we report here for the first time. In addition, we found DWV to be present in the adult flies and replicating virus in the larval stages of the fly, which could indicate that M. scalaris acts as a vector of DWV.
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Wisecaver JH, Alexander WG, King SB, Todd Hittinger C, Rokas A. Dynamic Evolution of Nitric Oxide Detoxifying Flavohemoglobins, a Family of Single-Protein Metabolic Modules in Bacteria and Eukaryotes. Mol Biol Evol 2016; 33:1979-87. [DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msw073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
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39
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Genome of Leptomonas pyrrhocoris: a high-quality reference for monoxenous trypanosomatids and new insights into evolution of Leishmania. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23704. [PMID: 27021793 PMCID: PMC4810370 DOI: 10.1038/srep23704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Many high-quality genomes are available for dixenous (two hosts) trypanosomatid species of the genera Trypanosoma, Leishmania, and Phytomonas, but only fragmentary information is available for monoxenous (single-host) trypanosomatids. In trypanosomatids, monoxeny is ancestral to dixeny, thus it is anticipated that the genome sequences of the key monoxenous parasites will be instrumental for both understanding the origin of parasitism and the evolution of dixeny. Here, we present a high-quality genome for Leptomonas pyrrhocoris, which is closely related to the dixenous genus Leishmania. The L. pyrrhocoris genome (30.4 Mbp in 60 scaffolds) encodes 10,148 genes. Using the L. pyrrhocoris genome, we pinpointed genes gained in Leishmania. Among those genes, 20 genes with unknown function had expression patterns in the Leishmania mexicana life cycle suggesting their involvement in virulence. By combining differential expression data for L. mexicana, L. major and Leptomonas seymouri, we have identified several additional proteins potentially involved in virulence, including SpoU methylase and U3 small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein IMP3. The population genetics of L. pyrrhocoris was also addressed by sequencing thirteen strains of different geographic origin, allowing the identification of 1,318 genes under positive selection. This set of genes was significantly enriched in components of the cytoskeleton and the flagellum.
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40
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Cavigli I, Daughenbaugh KF, Martin M, Lerch M, Banner K, Garcia E, Brutscher LM, Flenniken ML. Pathogen prevalence and abundance in honey bee colonies involved in almond pollination. APIDOLOGIE 2015; 47:251-266. [PMID: 27053820 PMCID: PMC4766222 DOI: 10.1007/s13592-015-0395-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees are important pollinators of agricultural crops. Since 2006, US beekeepers have experienced high annual honey bee colony losses, which may be attributed to multiple abiotic and biotic factors, including pathogens. However, the relative importance of these factors has not been fully elucidated. To identify the most prevalent pathogens and investigate the relationship between colony strength and health, we assessed pathogen occurrence, prevalence, and abundance in Western US honey bee colonies involved in almond pollination. The most prevalent pathogens were Black queen cell virus (BQCV), Lake Sinai virus 2 (LSV2), Sacbrood virus (SBV), Nosema ceranae, and trypanosomatids. Our results indicated that pathogen prevalence and abundance were associated with both sampling date and beekeeping operation, that prevalence was highest in honey bee samples obtained immediately after almond pollination, and that weak colonies had a greater mean pathogen prevalence than strong colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Cavigli
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 USA
| | - Katie F. Daughenbaugh
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 USA
| | - Madison Martin
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 USA
| | - Michael Lerch
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 USA
| | - Katie Banner
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 USA
| | - Emma Garcia
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 USA
| | - Laura M. Brutscher
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 USA
- Institute on Ecosystems, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 USA
| | - Michelle L. Flenniken
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 USA
- Institute on Ecosystems, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 USA
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41
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Rafferty SP, Dayer G. Heme proteins of Giardia intestinalis. Exp Parasitol 2015; 159:13-23. [PMID: 26297679 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Revised: 08/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Among the few organisms that cannot make the iron cofactor heme, some nonetheless possess heme proteins. This includes the protozoan parasite Giardia intestinalis, which encodes five known heme proteins: a flavohemoglobin and four members of the cytochrome b5 family. Giardia flavohemoglobin closely resembles those of the Enterobacteriaceae in structure and function, acting as a nitric oxide dioxygenase that is induced when trophozoites are exposed to reactive nitrogen species. The Giardia cytochromes b5 are soluble proteins having relatively low reduction potentials and lack several features that are expected to promote rapid electron transfer with redox partners. Only one potential electron donor, and no electron acceptors, have yet been identified in the Giardia genome, and the roles of these cytochromes are presently unknown. The answer may lie in the sequences that flank the heme-binding core of these proteins which could serve to localize them within the cell through reversible post-translational modifications and to promote specific protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Patrick Rafferty
- Department of Chemistry, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, K9J 7B8; Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, K9J 7B8.
| | - Guillem Dayer
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, K9J 7B8
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42
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Grozinger CM, Robinson GE. The power and promise of applying genomics to honey bee health. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2015; 10:124-132. [PMID: 26273565 PMCID: PMC4528376 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2015.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
New genomic tools and resources are now being used to both understand honey bee health and develop tools to better manage it. Here, we describe the use of genomic approaches to identify and characterize bee parasites and pathogens, examine interactions among these parasites and pathogens, between them and their bee hosts, and to identify genetic markers for improved breeding of more resilient bee stocks. We also discuss several new genomic techniques that can be used to more efficiently study, monitor and improve bee health. In the case of using RNAi-based technologies to mitigate diseases in bee populations, we highlight advantages, disadvantages and strategies to reduce risk. The increased use of genomic analytical tools and manipulative technologies has already led to significant advances, and holds great promise for improvements in the health of honey bees and other critical pollinator species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Grozinger
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16803
| | - Gene E. Robinson
- Department of Entomology, Neuroscience Program, Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 61801
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43
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Schwarz RS, Huang Q, Evans JD. Hologenome theory and the honey bee pathosphere. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2015; 10:1-7. [PMID: 29587997 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2015.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent research has provided improved genome-level views of diversity across global honey bee populations, the gut microbiota residing within them, and the expanding pathosphere challenging honey bees. Different combinations of bee/microbiota/pathosphere genome complexes may explain regional variation in apiculture productivity and mortality. To understand this, we must consider management and research approaches in light of a hologenome paradigm: that honey bee fitness is determined by the composite bee and microbiota genomes. Only by considering the hologenome can we truly interpret and address impacts from the pathosphere, pesticides, toxins, nutrition, climate and other stressors affecting bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan S Schwarz
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - East, Bldg. 306, US Department of Agriculture, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
| | - Qiang Huang
- Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - East, Bldg. 306, US Department of Agriculture, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Jay D Evans
- Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - East, Bldg. 306, US Department of Agriculture, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
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44
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Ravoet J, Schwarz RS, Descamps T, Yañez O, Tozkar CO, Martin-Hernandez R, Bartolomé C, De Smet L, Higes M, Wenseleers T, Schmid-Hempel R, Neumann P, Kadowaki T, Evans JD, de Graaf DC. Differential diagnosis of the honey bee trypanosomatids Crithidia mellificae and Lotmaria passim. J Invertebr Pathol 2015; 130:21-7. [PMID: 26146231 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2015.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids infecting honey bees have been poorly studied with molecular methods until recently. After the description of Crithidia mellificae (Langridge and McGhee, 1967) it took about forty years until molecular data for honey bee trypanosomatids became available and were used to identify and describe a new trypanosomatid species from honey bees, Lotmaria passim (Evans and Schwarz, 2014). However, an easy method to distinguish them without sequencing is not yet available. Research on the related bumble bee parasites Crithidia bombi and Crithidia expoeki revealed a fragment length polymorphism in the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), which enabled species discrimination. In search of fragment length polymorphisms for differential diagnostics in honey bee trypanosomatids, we studied honey bee trypanosomatid cell cultures of C. mellificae and L. passim. This research resulted in the identification of fragment length polymorphisms in ITS1 and ITS1-2 markers, which enabled us to develop a diagnostic method to differentiate both honey bee trypanosomatid species without the need for sequencing. However, the amplification success of the ITS1 marker depends probably on the trypanosomatid infection level. Further investigation confirmed that L. passim is the dominant species in Belgium, Japan and Switzerland. We found C. mellificae only rarely in Belgian honey bee samples, but not in honey bee samples from other countries. C. mellificae was also detected in mason bees (Osmia bicornis and Osmia cornuta) besides in honey bees. Further, the characterization and comparison of additional markers from L. passim strain SF (published as C. mellificae strain SF) and a Belgian honey bee sample revealed very low divergence in the 18S rRNA, ITS1-2, 28S rRNA and cytochrome b sequences. Nevertheless, a variable stretch was observed in the gp63 virulence factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorgen Ravoet
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Ryan S Schwarz
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - East, Beltsville, United States
| | - Tine Descamps
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Orlando Yañez
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Cansu Ozge Tozkar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Carolina Bartolomé
- Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Xenómica Comparada de Parásitos Humanos, IDIS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lina De Smet
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mariano Higes
- Bee Pathology Laboratory, Centro Apícola Regional, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Tom Wenseleers
- Laboratory of Socioecology and Social Evolution, K.U. Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Regula Schmid-Hempel
- Institute of Integrative Biology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Peter Neumann
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tatsuhiko Kadowaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jay D Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - East, Beltsville, United States
| | - Dirk C de Graaf
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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45
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Daughenbaugh KF, Martin M, Brutscher LM, Cavigli I, Garcia E, Lavin M, Flenniken ML. Honey Bee Infecting Lake Sinai Viruses. Viruses 2015; 7:3285-309. [PMID: 26110586 PMCID: PMC4488739 DOI: 10.3390/v7062772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees are critical pollinators of important agricultural crops. Recently, high annual losses of honey bee colonies have prompted further investigation of honey bee infecting viruses. To better characterize the recently discovered and very prevalent Lake Sinai virus (LSV) group, we sequenced currently circulating LSVs, performed phylogenetic analysis, and obtained images of LSV2. Sequence analysis resulted in extension of the LSV1 and LSV2 genomes, the first detection of LSV4 in the US, and the discovery of LSV6 and LSV7. We detected LSV1 and LSV2 in the Varroa destructor mite, and determined that a large proportion of LSV2 is found in the honey bee gut, suggesting that vector-mediated, food-associated, and/or fecal-oral routes may be important for LSV dissemination. Pathogen-specific quantitative PCR data, obtained from samples collected during a small-scale monitoring project, revealed that LSV2, LSV1, Black queen cell virus (BQCV), and Nosema ceranae were more abundant in weak colonies than strong colonies within this sample cohort. Together, these results enhance our current understanding of LSVs and illustrate the importance of future studies aimed at investigating the role of LSVs and other pathogens on honey bee health at both the individual and colony levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie F Daughenbaugh
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
| | - Madison Martin
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
| | - Laura M Brutscher
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
- Institute on Ecosystems, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
| | - Ian Cavigli
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
| | - Emma Garcia
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
| | - Matt Lavin
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
| | - Michelle L Flenniken
- Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
- Institute on Ecosystems, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
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46
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Hartmann U, Forsgren E, Charrière JD, Neumann P, Gauthier L. Dynamics of Apis mellifera Filamentous Virus (AmFV) Infections in Honey Bees and Relationships with Other Parasites. Viruses 2015; 7:2654-67. [PMID: 26008705 PMCID: PMC4452924 DOI: 10.3390/v7052654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [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: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Apis mellifera filamentous virus (AmFV) is a large double stranded DNA virus of honey bees, but its relationship with other parasites and prevalence are poorly known. We analyzed individual honey bees from three colonies at different times post emergence in order to monitor the dynamics of the AmFV gut colonization under natural conditions. Prevalence and loads of microsporidia and trypanosomes were also recorded, as well as five common honey bee RNA viruses. The results show that a high proportion of bees get infected with AmFV during the first week post-emergence (75%) and that AmFV DNA levels remained constant. A similar pattern was observed for microsporidia while trypanosomes seem to require more time to colonize the gut. No significant associations between these three infections were found, but significant positive correlations were observed between AmFV and RNA viruses. In parallel, the prevalence of AmFV in France and Sweden was assessed from pooled honey bee workers. The data indicate that AmFV is almost ubiquitous, and does not seem to follow seasonal patterns, although higher viral loads were significantly detected in spring. A high prevalence of AmFV was also found in winter bees, without obvious impact on overwintering of the colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Hartmann
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Center, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, Bern 3003, Switzerland.
| | - Eva Forsgren
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala 750 07, Sweden.
| | - Jean-Daniel Charrière
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Center, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, Bern 3003, Switzerland.
| | - Peter Neumann
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Center, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, Bern 3003, Switzerland.
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern 3001, Switzerland.
| | - Laurent Gauthier
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Center, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, Bern 3003, Switzerland.
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47
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Schwarz RS, Bauchan GR, Murphy CA, Ravoet J, de Graaf DC, Evans JD. Characterization of Two Species of Trypanosomatidae from the Honey Bee Apis mellifera: Crithidia mellificae Langridge and McGhee, and Lotmaria passim n. gen., n. sp. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2015; 62:567-83. [PMID: 25712037 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2014] [Revised: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are increasingly recognized as prevalent in European honey bees (Apis mellifera) and by default are attributed to one recognized species, Crithidia mellificae Langridge and McGhee, 1967. We provide reference genetic and ultrastructural data for type isolates of C. mellificae (ATCC 30254 and 30862) in comparison with two recent isolates from A. mellifera (BRL and SF). Phylogenetics unambiguously identify strains BRL/SF as a novel taxonomic unit distinct from C. mellificae strains 30254/30862 and assign all four strains as lineages of a novel clade within the subfamily Leishmaniinae. In vivo analyses show strains BRL/SF preferably colonize the hindgut, lining the lumen as adherent spheroids in a manner identical to previous descriptions from C. mellificae. Microscopy images show motile forms of C. mellificae are distinct from strains BRL/SF. We propose the binomial Lotmaria passim n. gen., n. sp. for this previously undescribed taxon. Analyses of new and previously accessioned genetic data show C. mellificae is still extant in bee populations, however, L. passim n. gen., n. sp. is currently the predominant trypanosomatid in A. mellifera globally. Our findings require that previous reports of C. mellificae be reconsidered and that subsequent trypanosomatid species designations from Hymenoptera provide genetic support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan S Schwarz
- Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - East, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bldg 306, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Gary R Bauchan
- Electron and Confocal Microscopy Unit, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - West, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bldg 012, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Charles A Murphy
- Electron and Confocal Microscopy Unit, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - West, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bldg 012, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Jorgen Ravoet
- Laboratory of Zoophysiology, Faculty of Science, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk C de Graaf
- Laboratory of Zoophysiology, Faculty of Science, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jay D Evans
- Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - East, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bldg 306, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
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