@article {pmid39031957,
year = {2024},
author = {Thia, JA and Zhan, D and Robinson, K and Umina, PA and Hoffmann, AA and Yang, Q},
title = {'Drifting' Buchnera genomes track the microevolutionary trajectories of their aphid hosts.},
journal = {Insect molecular biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/imb.12946},
pmid = {39031957},
issn = {1365-2583},
support = {//Grains Research Development Corporation (Australia) as part of the 'Australian Grains Pest Innovation Program'/ ; //University of Melbourne/ ; //University of Melbourne's Research Computing Services/ ; //Petascale Campus Initiative/ ; },
abstract = {Evolution of Buchnera-aphid host symbioses is often studied among species at macroevolutionary scales. Investigations within species offer a different perspective about how eco-evolutionary processes shape patterns of genetic variation at microevolutionary scales. Our study leverages new and publicly available whole-genome sequencing data to study Buchnera-aphid host evolution in Myzus persicae, the peach potato aphid, a globally invasive and polyphagous pest. Across 43 different asexual, clonally reproducing isofemale strains, we examined patterns of genomic covariation between Buchnera and their aphid host and considered the distribution of mutations in protein-coding regions of the Buchnera genome. We found Buchnera polymorphisms within aphid strains, suggesting the presence of genetically different Buchnera strains within the same clonal lineage. Genetic distance between pairs of Buchnera samples was positively correlated to genetic distance between their aphid hosts, indicating shared evolutionary histories. However, there was no segregation of genetic variation for both M. persicae and Buchnera with plant host (Brassicaceae and non-tobacco Solanaceae) and no associations between genetic and geographic distance at global or regional spatial scales. Abundance patterns of non-synonymous mutations were similar to synonymous mutations in the Buchnera genome, and both mutation classes had similar site frequency spectra. We hypothesize that a predominance of neutral processes results in the Buchnera of M. persicae to simply 'drift' with the evolutionary trajectory of their aphid hosts. Our study presents a unique microevolutionary characterization of Buchnera-aphid host genomic covariation across multiple aphid clones. This provides a new perspective on the eco-evolutionary processes generating and maintaining polymorphisms in a major pest aphid species and its obligate primary endosymbiont.},
}

@article {pmid39029846,
year = {2024},
author = {Mathimaran, A and Nagarajan, H and Mathimaran, A and Huang, YC and Chen, CJ and Vetrivel, U and Jeyaraman, J},
title = {Deciphering the pH-dependent oligomerization of aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase from Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi: An in vitro and in silico approaches.},
journal = {International journal of biological macromolecules},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {133977},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133977},
pmid = {39029846},
issn = {1879-0003},
abstract = {The enzyme aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (ASDH) plays a pivotal role in the amino acid biosynthesis pathway, making it an attractive target for the development of new antimicrobial drugs due to its absence in humans. This study aims to investigate the presence of ASDH in the filarial parasite Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia malayi (WBm) using both in vitro and in silico approaches. The size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and Native-PAGE analysis demonstrate that WBm-ASDH undergoes pH-dependent oligomerization and dimerization. To gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon, the modelled monomer and dimer structures were subjected to pH-dependent dynamics simulations in various conditions. The results reveal that residues Val240, Gln161, Thr159, Tyr160, and Trp316 form strong hydrogen bond contacts in the intersurface area to maintain the structure in the dimeric form. Furthermore, the binding of NADP[+] induces conformational changes, leading to an open or closed conformation in the structure. Importantly, the binding of NADP[+] does not disturb either the dimerization or oligomerization of the protein, a finding confirmed through both in vitro and in silico analysis. These findings shed light on the structural characteristics of WBm-ASDH and offer valuable insights for the development of new inhibitors specific to WBm, thereby contributing to the development of potential therapies for filarial parasitic infections.},
}

@article {pmid39028812,
year = {2024},
author = {Dougan, KE and Bellantuono, AJ and Kahlke, T and Abbriano, RM and Chen, Y and Shah, S and Granados-Cifuentes, C and van Oppen, MJH and Bhattacharya, D and Suggett, DJ and Rodriguez-Lanetty, M and Chan, CX},
title = {Whole-genome duplication in an algal symbiont bolsters coral heat tolerance.},
journal = {Science advances},
volume = {10},
number = {29},
pages = {eadn2218},
pmid = {39028812},
issn = {2375-2548},
mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; *Anthozoa/genetics/physiology/microbiology ; Animals ; *Gene Duplication ; *Thermotolerance/genetics ; *Genome ; Coral Reefs ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {The algal endosymbiont Durusdinium trenchii enhances the resilience of coral reefs under thermal stress. D. trenchii can live freely or in endosymbiosis, and the analysis of genetic markers suggests that this species has undergone whole-genome duplication (WGD). However, the evolutionary mechanisms that underpin the thermotolerance of this species are largely unknown. Here, we present genome assemblies for two D. trenchii isolates, confirm WGD in these taxa, and examine how selection has shaped the duplicated genome regions using gene expression data. We assess how the free-living versus endosymbiotic lifestyles have contributed to the retention and divergence of duplicated genes, and how these processes have enhanced the thermotolerance of D. trenchii. Our combined results suggest that lifestyle is the driver of post-WGD evolution in D. trenchii, with the free-living phase being the most important, followed by endosymbiosis. Adaptations to both lifestyles likely enabled D. trenchii to provide enhanced thermal stress protection to the host coral.},
}

*Symbiosis/genetics
*Anthozoa/genetics/physiology/microbiology
Animals
*Gene Duplication
*Thermotolerance/genetics
*Genome
Coral Reefs
Phylogeny

@article {pmid39028184,
year = {2024},
author = {Feng, H and Wilson, ACC},
title = {Experimental uncoupling of hosts and endosymbionts.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0111624},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.01116-24},
pmid = {39028184},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {Many organisms harbor heritable bacterial symbionts that offer context-specific benefits to their hosts. In some of these symbioses, symbionts live inside host cells as endosymbionts. Studying the biology of endosymbiosis is challenging because it is hard to independently cultivate hosts and endosymbionts. A recent study, using a simple defined growth medium at ambient temperature, established an axenic culture of the pea aphid's heritable bacterial endosymbiont, Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica (G. P. Maeda, M. K. Kelly, A. Sundar, and N. A. Moran, mBio 15:e03253-23, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.03253-23). Notably, the monoculture was capable of host recolonization, was stably transmitted, and returned similar host phenotypes to those observed in native infections. This advance in uncoupling the cultivation of an endosymbiont and its host opens avenues for genetic manipulation of the endosymbiont that will facilitate hypothesis-driven work to explore the mechanisms of host-endosymbiont biology and potentially facilitate the development of symbiont-mediated practical-application biotechnologies.},
}

@article {pmid39025984,
year = {2024},
author = {Sikorskaya, TV and Ermolenko, EV and Ginanova, TT and Boroda, AV and Efimova, KV and Bogdanov, M},
title = {Membrane vectorial lipidomic features of coral host cells' plasma membrane and lipid profiles of their endosymbionts Cladocopium.},
journal = {Communications biology},
volume = {7},
number = {1},
pages = {878},
pmid = {39025984},
issn = {2399-3642},
support = {R01GM121493-6//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/metabolism/physiology/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Cell Membrane/metabolism ; *Lipidomics ; *Dinoflagellida/metabolism/physiology ; Membrane Lipids/metabolism ; },
abstract = {The symbiotic relationships between coral animal host and autotrophic dinoflagellates are based on the mutual exchange and tight control of nutritional inputs supporting successful growth. The corals Sinularia heterospiculata and Acropora aspera were cultivated using a flow-through circulation system supplying seawater during cold and warm seasons of the year, then sorted into host cells and symbionts and subjected to phylogenetic, morphological, and advanced lipid analyses. Here we show, that the lipidomes of the dinoflagellates Cladocopium C1/C3 and acroporide-specific Cladocopium hosted by the corals, are determined by lipidomic features of different thermosensitivity and unique betaine- and phospholipid molecular species. Phosphatidylserines and ceramiaminoethylphosphonates are not detected in the symbionts and predominantly localized on the inner leaflet of the S. heterospiculata host plasma membrane. The transmembrane distribution of phosphatidylethanolamines of S. heterospiculata host changes during different seasons of the year, possibly contributing to mutualistic nutritional exchange across this membrane complex to provide the host with a secure adaptive mechanism and ecological benefits.},
}

Animals
*Anthozoa/metabolism/physiology/microbiology
*Symbiosis
*Cell Membrane/metabolism
*Lipidomics
*Dinoflagellida/metabolism/physiology
Membrane Lipids/metabolism

@article {pmid39014485,
year = {2024},
author = {Harmsen, N and Vesga, P and Glauser, G and Klötzli, F and Heiman, CM and Altenried, A and Vacheron, J and Muller, D and Moënne-Loccoz, Y and Steinger, T and Keel, C and Garrido-Sanz, D},
title = {Natural plant disease suppressiveness in soils extends to insect pest control.},
journal = {Microbiome},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {127},
pmid = {39014485},
issn = {2049-2618},
support = {BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND//Biodiversa+/ ; BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND//Biodiversa+/ ; BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND//Biodiversa+/ ; BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND//Biodiversa+/ ; BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND//Biodiversa+/ ; BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND//Biodiversa+/ ; BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND//Biodiversa+/ ; 31BD30_186540//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; 31BD30_186540//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; 31BD30_186540//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; 31BD30_186540//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; 31BD30_186540//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung/ ; 51NF40_180575//National Centre of Competence in Research Microbiomes, Switzerland/ ; 51NF40_180575//National Centre of Competence in Research Microbiomes, Switzerland/ ; 51NF40_180575//National Centre of Competence in Research Microbiomes, Switzerland/ ; 51NF40_180575//National Centre of Competence in Research Microbiomes, Switzerland/ ; ANR19-EBI3-0007//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; ANR19-EBI3-0007//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Plant Diseases/prevention & control/microbiology ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Microbiota ; Rhizosphere ; Switzerland ; Insecta ; Bacteria/classification ; Soil/chemistry ; Ascomycota/physiology ; Insect Control/methods ; Plant Roots/microbiology ; Herbivory ; Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism/pharmacology ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Since the 1980s, soils in a 22-km[2] area near Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland have been recognized for their innate ability to suppress the black root rot plant disease caused by the fungal pathogen Thielaviopsis basicola. However, the efficacy of natural disease suppressive soils against insect pests has not been studied.

RESULTS: We demonstrate that natural soil suppressiveness also protects plants from the leaf-feeding pest insect Oulema melanopus. Plants grown in the most suppressive soil have a reduced stress response to Oulema feeding, reflected by dampened levels of herbivore defense-related phytohormones and benzoxazinoids. Enhanced salicylate levels in insect-free plants indicate defense-priming operating in this soil. The rhizosphere microbiome of suppressive soils contained a higher proportion of plant-beneficial bacteria, coinciding with their microbiome networks being highly tolerant to the destabilizing impact of insect exposure observed in the rhizosphere of plants grown in the conducive soils. We suggest that presence of plant-beneficial bacteria in the suppressive soils along with priming, conferred plant resistance to the insect pest, manifesting also in the onset of insect microbiome dysbiosis by the displacement of the insect endosymbionts.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that an intricate soil-plant-insect feedback, relying on a stress tolerant microbiome network with the presence of plant-beneficial bacteria and plant priming, extends natural soil suppressiveness from soilborne diseases to insect pests. Video Abstract.},
}

Animals
*Plant Diseases/prevention & control/microbiology
*Soil Microbiology
*Microbiota
Rhizosphere
Switzerland
Insecta
Bacteria/classification
Soil/chemistry
Ascomycota/physiology
Insect Control/methods
Plant Roots/microbiology
Herbivory
Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism/pharmacology
Symbiosis

@article {pmid39013857,
year = {2024},
author = {Gao, YL and Cournoyer, JE and De, BC and Wallace, CL and Ulanov, AV and La Frano, MR and Mehta, AP},
title = {Introducing carbon assimilation in yeasts using photosynthetic directed endosymbiosis.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {5947},
pmid = {39013857},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {R01GM139949//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis/physiology ; *Photosynthesis ; *Carbon/metabolism ; *Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism/genetics ; *Metabolic Engineering/methods ; Carbon Dioxide/metabolism ; Glucose/metabolism ; Cyanobacteria/metabolism/genetics ; },
abstract = {Conversion of heterotrophic organisms into partially or completely autotrophic organisms is primarily accomplished by extensive metabolic engineering and laboratory evolution efforts that channel CO2 into central carbon metabolism. Here, we develop a directed endosymbiosis approach to introduce carbon assimilation in budding yeasts. Particularly, we engineer carbon assimilating and sugar-secreting photosynthetic cyanobacterial endosymbionts within the yeast cells, which results in the generation of yeast/cyanobacteria chimeras that propagate under photosynthetic conditions in the presence of CO2 and in the absence of feedstock carbon sources like glucose or glycerol. We demonstrate that the yeast/cyanobacteria chimera can be engineered to biosynthesize natural products under the photosynthetic conditions. Additionally, we expand our directed endosymbiosis approach to standard laboratory strains of yeasts, which transforms them into photosynthetic yeast/cyanobacteria chimeras. We anticipate that our studies will have significant implications for sustainable biotechnology, synthetic biology, and experimentally studying the evolutionary adaptation of an additional organelle in yeast.},
}

*Symbiosis/physiology
*Photosynthesis
*Carbon/metabolism
*Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism/genetics
*Metabolic Engineering/methods
Carbon Dioxide/metabolism
Glucose/metabolism
Cyanobacteria/metabolism/genetics

@article {pmid39010998,
year = {2024},
author = {Dagar, J and Maurya, S and Antil, S and Abraham, JS and Somasundaram, S and Lal, R and Makhija, S and Toteja, R},
title = {Symbionts of Ciliates and Ciliates as Symbionts.},
journal = {Indian journal of microbiology},
volume = {64},
number = {2},
pages = {304-317},
pmid = {39010998},
issn = {0046-8991},
abstract = {Endosymbiotic relationships between ciliates and others are critical for their ecological roles, physiological adaptations, and evolutionary implications. These can be obligate and facultative. Symbionts often provide essential nutrients, contribute to the ciliate's metabolism, aid in digestion, and offer protection against predators or environmental stressors. In turn, ciliates provide a protected environment and resources for their symbionts, facilitating their survival and proliferation. Ultrastructural and full-cycle rRNA approaches are utilized to identify these endosymbionts. Fluorescence in situ hybridization using "species- and group-specific probes" which are complementary to the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of a particular species or group of interest represent convenient tools for their detection directly in the environment. A systematic survey of these endosymbionts has been conducted using both traditional and metagenomic approaches. Ciliophora and other protists have a wide range of prokaryotic symbionts, which may contain potentially pathogenic bacteria. Ciliates can establish symbiotic relationships with a variety of hosts also, ranging from protists to metazoans. Understanding ciliate symbiosis can provide useful insights into the complex relationships that drive microbial communities and ecosystems in general.},
}

@article {pmid39009178,
year = {2024},
author = {Power, RI and Doyle, SR and Šlapeta, J},
title = {Whole genome amplification and sequencing of individual Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae.},
journal = {Experimental parasitology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108806},
doi = {10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108806},
pmid = {39009178},
issn = {1090-2449},
abstract = {Dirofilaria immitis is a filarial parasitic nematode of veterinary significance. With the emergence of drug-resistant isolates in the USA, it is imperative to determine the likelihood of resistance occurring in other regions of the world. One approach is to conduct population genetic studies across an extensive geographical range, and to sequence the genomes of individual worms to understand genome-wide genetic variation associated with resistance. The immature life stages of D. immitis found in the host blood are more accessible and less invasive to sample compared to extracting adult stages from the host heart. To assess the use of immature life stages for population genetic analyses, we have performed whole genome amplification and whole-genome sequencing on nine (n = 9) individual D. immitis microfilaria samples isolated from dog blood. On average, less than 1% of mapped reads aligned to each D. immitis genome (nuclear, mitochondrial, and Wolbachia endosymbiont). For the dog genome, an average of over 99% of mapped reads aligned to the nuclear genome and less than 1% aligned to the mitochondrial genome. The average coverage for all D. immitis genomes and the dog nuclear genome was less than 1, while the dog mitochondrial genome had an average coverage of 2.87. The overwhelming proportion of sequencing reads mapping to the dog host genome can be attributed to residual dog blood cells in the microfilariae samples. These results demonstrate the challenges of conducting genome-wide studies on individual immature parasite life stages, particularly in the presence of extraneous host DNA.},
}

@article {pmid39008129,
year = {2024},
author = {Pereira, IS and da Cunha, M and Leal, IP and Luís, MP and Gonçalves, P and Gonçalves, C and Mota, LJ},
title = {Identification of homologs of the Chlamydia trachomatis effector CteG reveals a family of Chlamydiaceae type III secreted proteins that can be delivered into host cells.},
journal = {Medical microbiology and immunology},
volume = {213},
number = {1},
pages = {15},
pmid = {39008129},
issn = {1432-1831},
mesh = {Humans ; *Chlamydia trachomatis/genetics/metabolism ; *Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; *Phylogeny ; *Type III Secretion Systems/metabolism/genetics ; Virulence Factors/metabolism/genetics ; HeLa Cells ; Yersinia/genetics/metabolism ; Protein Transport ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Evolution, Molecular ; Chlamydiaceae/genetics/metabolism/classification ; },
abstract = {Chlamydiae are a large group of obligate endosymbionts of eukaryotes that includes the Chlamydiaceae family, comprising several animal pathogens. Among Chlamydiaceae, Chlamydia trachomatis causes widespread ocular and urogenital infections in humans. Like many bacterial pathogens, all Chlamydiae manipulate host cells by injecting them with type III secretion effector proteins. We previously characterized the C. trachomatis effector CteG, which localizes at the host cell Golgi and plasma membrane during distinct phases of the chlamydial infectious cycle. Here, we show that CteG is a Chlamydiaceae-specific effector with over 60 homologs phylogenetically categorized into two distinct clades (CteG I and CteG II) and exhibiting several inparalogs and outparalogs. Notably, cteG I homologs are syntenic to C. trachomatis cteG, whereas cteG II homologs are syntenic among themselves but not with C. trachomatis cteG. This indicates a complex evolution of cteG homologs, which is unique among C. trachomatis effectors, marked by numerous events of gene duplication and loss. Despite relatively modest sequence conservation, nearly all tested CteG I and CteG II proteins were identified as type III secretion substrates using Yersinia as a heterologous bacterial host. Moreover, most of the type III secreted CteG I and CteG II homologs were delivered by C. trachomatis into host cells, where they localized at the Golgi region and cell periphery. Overall, this provided insights into the evolution of bacterial effectors and revealed a Chlamydiaceae family of type III secreted proteins that underwent substantial divergence during evolution while conserving the capacity to localize at specific host cell compartments.},
}

Humans
*Chlamydia trachomatis/genetics/metabolism
*Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics
*Phylogeny
*Type III Secretion Systems/metabolism/genetics
Virulence Factors/metabolism/genetics
HeLa Cells
Yersinia/genetics/metabolism
Protein Transport
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Evolution, Molecular
Chlamydiaceae/genetics/metabolism/classification

@article {pmid39004284,
year = {2024},
author = {Obanda, V and Akinyi, M and King'ori, E and Nyakundi, R and Ochola, G and Oreng, P and Mugambi, K and Waiguchu, GM and Chege, M and Rosenbaum, W and Ylitalo, EB and Bäck, AT and Pettersson, L and Mukunzi, OS and Agwanda, B and Stenberg-Lewerin, S and Lwande, OW},
title = {Epidemiology and Ecology of the Sylvatic Cycle of African Swine Fever Virus in Kenya.},
journal = {Virus research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {199434},
doi = {10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199434},
pmid = {39004284},
issn = {1872-7492},
abstract = {African Swine Fever (ASF) is caused by a DNA virus (AFSV) maintained and transmitted by the Argasid ticks. The re-emergence of the disease in Africa coupled with its rapid spread globally is a threat to the pig industry, food security and livelihoods. The ecology and epidemiology of the ASFV sylvatic cycle, especially in the face of changing land use and land cover, further compounds the menace and impacts of this disease in Kenya. The study aimed to determine the occurrence and distribution of ASFV seroprevalence in warthog populations, the tick vectors and extent of tick infestation of warthog burrows, and the genotypes of ASFV in soft ticks in Kenya. Warthogs from different parts of Kenya were captured and venous blood was centrifuged to harvest sera. Warthog burrows were examined for their conditions and to extract ticks. Sera were analyzed for antibodies against ASFV using a commercial ELISA kit coated with p32 ASFV recombinant protein. Ticks were pooled, DNA extracted and the p72 gene of the ASFV was amplified by qPCR and conventional PCR. The overall seroprevalence of ASFV in warthogs was 87.5%. A total of 228 warthog burrows were examined and 2154 argasid ticks were extracted from the burrows. Tick pools from Kigio Farm and Lewa Wildlife Conservancies were ASFV-positive by qPCR and conventional PCR. ASFV was further confirmed by the Twist Comprehensive Viral Research Panel (TCVRP), which also identified the argasid ticks as Ornithodoros porcinus. The ticks were infected with virus genotype IX, and their occurrence overlaps with regions of previous ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs. Further, Viruses that could be tick endosymbionts/commensals or due to bloodmeal were detected in ticks by TCVRP; Porcine type-C oncovirus; Pandoravirus neocaledonia; Choristoneura fumiferana granulovirus; Enterobacteria phage p7; Leporid herpesvirus 4 isolate; 5; Human Lymphotropic virus; Human herpesvirus 5. In conclusion, our results suggest that infected Ornithodoros spp. seems to have a rich virome, which has not been explored but could be exploited to inform ASF control in Kenya. Further, the ecology of Ornithodoros spp. and burrow-use dynamics are complex and more studies are needed to understand these dynamics, specifically in the spread of ASFV at the interface of wild and domestic pigs. Further, our results provide evidence of genotype IX ASFV sylvatic cycle which through O. porcinus tick transmission has resulted in high exposure of adult common warthogs. Finally, the co-circulation of ASFV genotype IX in the same location with past ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs and presently in ticks brings to focus the role of the interface and ticks on virus transmission to pigs and warthogs.},
}

@article {pmid38997520,
year = {2024},
author = {Samaddar, S and Rolandelli, A and O'Neal, AJ and Laukaitis-Yousey, HJ and Marnin, L and Singh, N and Wang, X and Butler, LR and Rangghran, P and Kitsou, C and Cabrera Paz, FE and Valencia, L and R Ferraz, C and Munderloh, UG and Khoo, B and Cull, B and Rosche, KL and Shaw, DK and Oliver, J and Narasimhan, S and Fikrig, E and Pal, U and Fiskum, GM and Polster, BM and Pedra, JHF},
title = {Bacterial reprogramming of tick metabolism impacts vector fitness and susceptibility to infection.},
journal = {Nature microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38997520},
issn = {2058-5276},
support = {R01AI134696, R01AI116523, R01AI049424, P01AI138949//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; F31AI152215//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; F31AI167471//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; T32AI162579//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; R01AI162819//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; P01AI138949//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; P01AI138949, R01AI080615//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; },
abstract = {Arthropod-borne pathogens are responsible for hundreds of millions of infections in humans each year. The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, is the predominant arthropod vector in the United States and is responsible for transmitting several human pathogens, including the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and the obligate intracellular rickettsial bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis. However, tick metabolic response to microbes and whether metabolite allocation occurs upon infection remain unknown. Here we investigated metabolic reprogramming in the tick ectoparasite I. scapularis and determined that the rickettsial bacterium A. phagocytophilum and the spirochete B. burgdorferi induced glycolysis in tick cells. Surprisingly, the endosymbiont Rickettsia buchneri had a minimal effect on bioenergetics. An unbiased metabolomics approach following A. phagocytophilum infection of tick cells showed alterations in carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide and protein metabolism, including elevated levels of the pleiotropic metabolite β-aminoisobutyric acid. We manipulated the expression of genes associated with β-aminoisobutyric acid metabolism in I. scapularis, resulting in feeding impairment, diminished survival and reduced bacterial acquisition post haematophagy. Collectively, we discovered that metabolic reprogramming affects interspecies relationships and fitness in the clinically relevant tick I. scapularis.},
}

@article {pmid38987492,
year = {2024},
author = {Ng, MS and Soon, N and Afiq-Rosli, L and Kunning, I and Mana, RR and Chang, Y and Wainwright, BJ},
title = {Highly Diverse Symbiodiniaceae Types Hosted by Corals in a Global Hotspot of Marine Biodiversity.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {87},
number = {1},
pages = {92},
pmid = {38987492},
issn = {1432-184X},
mesh = {*Anthozoa/microbiology ; Animals ; *Biodiversity ; *Dinoflagellida/genetics/classification/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Coral Reefs ; Papua New Guinea ; Phylogeny ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; },
abstract = {Symbiotic dinoflagellates in the genus Symbiodiniaceae play vital roles in promoting resilience and increasing stress tolerance in their coral hosts. While much of the world's coral succumb to the stresses associated with increasingly severe and frequent thermal bleaching events, live coral cover in Papua New Guinea (PNG) remains some of the highest reported globally despite the historically warm waters surrounding the country. Yet, in spite of the high coral cover in PNG and the acknowledged roles Symbiodiniaceae play within their hosts, these communities have not been characterized in this global biodiversity hotspot. Using high-throughput sequencing of the ITS2 rDNA gene, we profiled the endosymbionts of four coral species, Diploastrea heliopora, Pachyseris speciosa, Pocillopora acuta, and Porites lutea, across six sites in PNG. Our findings reveal patterns of Cladocopium and Durusdinium dominance similar to other reefs in the Coral Triangle, albeit with much greater intra- and intergenomic variation. Host- and site-specific variations in Symbiodiniaceae type profiles were observed across collection sites, appearing to be driven by environmental conditions. Notably, the extensive intra- and intergenomic variation, coupled with many previously unreported sequences, highlight PNG as a potential hotspot of symbiont diversity. This work represents the first characterization of the coral-symbiont community structure in the PNG marine biodiversity hotspot, serving as a baseline for future studies.},
}

*Anthozoa/microbiology
Animals
*Biodiversity
*Dinoflagellida/genetics/classification/physiology
*Symbiosis
*Coral Reefs
Papua New Guinea
Phylogeny
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing

@article {pmid38982749,
year = {2024},
author = {Schrecengost, A and Rotterová, J and Poláková, K and Čepička, I and Beinart, RA},
title = {Divergent marine anaerobic ciliates harbor closely related Methanocorpusculum endosymbionts.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wrae125},
pmid = {38982749},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {Ciliates are a diverse group of protists known for their ability to establish various partnerships and thrive in a wide variety of oxygen-depleted environments. Most anaerobic ciliates harbor methanogens, one of the few known archaea living intracellularly. These methanogens increase the metabolic efficiency of host fermentation via syntrophic use of host end-product in methanogenesis. Despite the ubiquity of these symbioses in anoxic habitats, patterns of symbiont specificity and fidelity are not well known. We surveyed two unrelated, commonly found groups of anaerobic ciliates, the Plagiopylea and Metopida, isolated from anoxic marine sediments. We sequenced host 18S rRNA and symbiont 16S rRNA marker genes as well as the symbiont ITS region from our cultured ciliates to identify hosts and their associated methanogenic symbionts. We found that marine ciliates from both of these co-occurring, divergent groups harbor closely related yet distinct intracellular archaea within the Methanocorpusculum genus. The symbionts appear to be stable at the host species level, but at higher taxonomic levels, there is evidence that symbiont replacements have occurred. Gaining insight into this unique association will deepen our understanding of the complex transmission modes of marine microbial symbionts, and the mutualistic microbial interactions occurring across domains of life.},
}

@article {pmid38981407,
year = {2024},
author = {Howe, CJ and Barbrook, AC},
title = {Dinoflagellate chloroplasts as a model for extreme genome reduction and fragmentation in organelles - The COCOA principle for gene retention.},
journal = {Protist},
volume = {175},
number = {4},
pages = {126048},
doi = {10.1016/j.protis.2024.126048},
pmid = {38981407},
issn = {1618-0941},
abstract = {The genomes of peridinin-containing dinoflagellate chloroplasts have a very unusual organisation. These genomes are highly fragmented and greatly reduced, with most of the usual complement of chloroplast genes relocated to the nucleus. Dinoflagellate chloroplasts highlight evolutionary changes that are found to varying extents in a number of other organelle genomes. These include the chloroplast genome of the green alga Boodlea and other Cladophorales, and the mitochondrial genomes of blood-sucking and chewing lice, the parasitic plant Rhopalocnemis phalloides, the red alga Rhodosorus marinus and other members of the Stylonematophyceae, diplonemid flagellates, and some Cnidaria. Consideration of the coding content of the remnant chloroplast genomes indicates that organelles may preferentially retain genes for proteins important in initiating assembly of complexes, and the same is largely true for mitochondria. We propose a new principle, of CO-location for COntrol of Assembly (COCOA), indicating the importance of retaining these genes in the organelle. This adds to, but does not invalidate, the existing hypotheses of the multisubunit completion principle, CO-location for Redox Regulation (CORR) and Control by Epistasy of Synthesis (CES).},
}

@article {pmid38975782,
year = {2024},
author = {Price, CTD and Hanford, HE and Al-Quadan, T and Santic, M and Shin, CJ and Da'as, MSJ and Abu Kwaik, Y},
title = {Amoebae as training grounds for microbial pathogens.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0082724},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.00827-24},
pmid = {38975782},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {Grazing of amoebae on microorganisms represents one of the oldest predator-prey dynamic relationships in nature. It represents a genetic "melting pot" for an ancient and continuous multi-directional inter- and intra-kingdom horizontal gene transfer between amoebae and its preys, intracellular microbial residents, endosymbionts, and giant viruses, which has shaped the evolution, selection, and adaptation of microbes that evade degradation by predatory amoeba. Unicellular phagocytic amoebae are thought to be the ancient ancestors of macrophages with highly conserved eukaryotic processes. Selection and evolution of microbes within amoeba through their evolution to target highly conserved eukaryotic processes have facilitated the expansion of their host range to mammals, causing various infectious diseases. Legionella and environmental Chlamydia harbor an immense number of eukaryotic-like proteins that are involved in ubiquitin-related processes or are tandem repeats-containing proteins involved in protein-protein and protein-chromatin interactions. Some of these eukaryotic-like proteins exhibit novel domain architecture and novel enzymatic functions absent in mammalian cells, such as ubiquitin ligases, likely acquired from amoebae. Mammalian cells and amoebae may respond similarly to microbial factors that target highly conserved eukaryotic processes, but mammalian cells may undergo an accidental response to amoeba-adapted microbial factors. We discuss specific examples of microbes that have evolved to evade amoeba predation, including the bacterial pathogens- Legionella, Chlamydia, Coxiella, Rickettssia, Francisella, Mycobacteria, Salmonella, Bartonella, Rhodococcus, Pseudomonas, Vibrio, Helicobacter, Campylobacter, and Aliarcobacter. We also discuss the fungi Cryptococcus, and Asperigillus, as well as amoebae mimiviruses/giant viruses. We propose that amoeba-microbe interactions will continue to be a major "training ground" for the evolution, selection, adaptation, and emergence of microbial pathogens equipped with unique pathogenic tools to infect mammalian hosts. However, our progress will continue to be highly dependent on additional genomic, biochemical, and cellular data of unicellular eukaryotes.},
}

@article {pmid38975267,
year = {2024},
author = {Hoffmann, AA and Cooper, BS},
title = {Describing endosymbiont-host interactions within the parasitism-mutualism continuum.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {e11705},
pmid = {38975267},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Endosymbionts are widespread in arthropods, living in host cells with effects that extend from parasitic to mutualistic. Newly acquired endosymbionts tend to be parasitic, but vertical transmission favors coevolution toward mutualism, with hosts sometimes developing dependency. Endosymbionts negatively affecting host fitness may still spread by impacting host reproductive traits, referred to as reproductive "manipulation," although costs for hosts are often assumed rather than demonstrated. For cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) that involves endosymbiont-mediated embryo death, theory predicts directional shifts away from "manipulation" toward reduced CI strength; moreover, CI-causing endosymbionts need to increase host fitness to initially spread. In nature, endosymbiont-host interactions and dynamics are complex, often depending on environmental conditions and evolutionary history. We advocate for capturing this complexity through appropriate datasets, rather than relying on terms like "manipulation." Such imprecision can lead to the misclassification of endosymbionts along the parasitism-mutualism continuum.},
}

@article {pmid38974189,
year = {2024},
author = {Cham, AK and Adams, AK and Wadl, PA and Ojeda-Zacarías, MDC and Rutter, WB and Jackson, DM and Shoemaker, DD and Yencho, GC and Olukolu, BA},
title = {Metagenome-enabled models improve genomic predictive ability and identification of herbivory-limiting genes in sweetpotato.},
journal = {Horticulture research},
volume = {11},
number = {7},
pages = {uhae135},
pmid = {38974189},
issn = {2662-6810},
abstract = {Plant-insect interactions are often influenced by host- or insect-associated metagenomic community members. The relative abundance of insects and the microbes that modulate their interactions were obtained from sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) leaf-associated metagenomes using quantitative reduced representation sequencing and strain/species-level profiling with the Qmatey software. Positive correlations were found between whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) and its endosymbionts (Candidatus Hamiltonella defensa, Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum, and Rickettsia spp.) and negative correlations with nitrogen-fixing bacteria that implicate nitric oxide in sweetpotato-whitefly interaction. Genome-wide associations using 252 975 dosage-based markers, and metagenomes as a covariate to reduce false positive rates, implicated ethylene and cell wall modification in sweetpotato-whitefly interaction. The predictive abilities (PA) for whitefly and Ocypus olens abundance were high in both populations (68%-69% and 33.3%-35.8%, respectively) and 69.9% for Frankliniella occidentalis. The metagBLUP (gBLUP) prediction model, which fits the background metagenome-based Cao dissimilarity matrix instead of the marker-based relationship matrix (G-matrix), revealed moderate PA (35.3%-49.1%) except for O. olens (3%-10.1%). A significant gain in PA after modeling the metagenome as a covariate (gGBLUP, ≤11%) confirms quantification accuracy and that the metagenome modulates phenotypic expression and might account for the missing heritability problem. Significant gains in PA were also revealed after fitting allele dosage (≤17.4%) and dominance effects (≤4.6%). Pseudo-diploidized genotype data underperformed for dominance models. Including segregation-distorted loci (SDL) increased PA by 6%-17.1%, suggesting that traits associated with fitness cost might benefit from the inclusion of SDL. Our findings confirm the holobiont theory of host-metagenome co-evolution and underscore its potential for breeding within the context of G × G × E interactions.},
}

@article {pmid38971960,
year = {2024},
author = {Therhaag, E and Ulrich, R and Gross, J and Schneider, B},
title = {Onion (Allium cepa L.) as a new host for 'Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus' in Germany.},
journal = {Plant disease},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1094/PDIS-03-24-0526-PDN},
pmid = {38971960},
issn = {0191-2917},
abstract = {Onion (Allium cepa L.) is the most produced vegetable after tomato worldwide and is grown on about 15,000 ha in Germany. In Lampertheim, Hesse in southwest Germany (49°40'02.3"N, 8°26'00.0"E) bulbs of the cultivar 'Red Baron F1' were harvested in September 2023 in an apparently healthy state. Four months later some of the onions showed rotting symptoms, which could not be assigned to a known storage disease. At first, the bulbs became glassy, later they showed soft rot. They originated from a field located in a growing region severely affected by "Syndrome Basses Richesses" (SBR). 'Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus' as well as 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' are associated with this disease in sugar beet (Gatineau et al. 2002). Moreover, 'Ca. A. phytopathogenicus' was recently reported in association of bacterial wilt and yellowing in potato (Behrmann et al. 2023). Both phloem-restricted bacteria are vectored by the polyphagous planthopper Pentastiridius leporinus (Therhaag et al. 2024), which is highly abundant in this region. To examine, if the unknown symptoms in onion might be related to the presence of these pathogens, DNA of 69 bulbs showing a different degree of softening were analyzed. The samples were tested for the presence of 'Ca. Phytoplasma solani' in a TaqMan assay (Behrmann et al. 2022). All showed negative results. To demonstrate the presence of 'Ca. A. phytopathogenicus', universal and genus-specific primers for the amplification of 16S rDNA and a real-time qPCR assay amplifying an hsp20 fragment were employed (Christensen et al. 2004, Zübert and Kube 2021). Two bulbs of the five positive samples were in an apparently healthy state, the other three showed light to moderate softening symptoms. The 16S rDNA fragments from two samples were sequenced on both strands and aligned. Both fragments were homologous. One fragment of 1474 bp fragment showing 100% homology to the 16S rDNA from SBR (accession no. AY057392) was submitted to GenBank (accession no. PP400342). Other taxa of 'Ca. Arsenophonus' showed 16S rDNA homologies of less than 99.3 %. To corroborate the finding onion samples were subjected to PCR reactions employing genus-specific primers for the conserved tufB, secY and manA gene, which had been derived from multiple alignments of 'Ca. A. spp' sequence submissions (Sela et al. 1989, Lee et al. 2010). The tufB, secY and manA primers amplified fragments of about 980 bp, 640 bp and 930 bp, respectively, from all previously positive samples. Samples which had been tested negative for 'Ca. P. phytopathogenicus' remained negative. Fragments from two accessions were sequenced and the sequences from both isolates were 100 % identical. A BLAST search of the partial tufB gene (acc. no. PP950434) showed 98.57 % sequence identity to a yet unnamed Arsenophonus endosymbiont (acc. no. OZ026540) and 91.85 to 91.83 % to 'Ca. A. nasoniae' and 'Ca. A. apicola', respectively. A similar result was obtained for the partial secY sequence (acc. no. PP950433). The manA sequence (acc. no. PP942231) was identical to a partial sequence of 'Ca. A. phytopathogenicus' strain HN (acc. no. OK335757) and 97.42 % to 'Ca. A. nasoniae and about 87 % to related Arsenophonus species. The finding of 'Ca. A. phytopathogenicus' in onion is novel and might indicate an expanding host range of vector and pathogen in the regional crop rotation. As a correlation between the pathogen and the soft rot symptom is unclear at present, further investigations are needed.},
}

@article {pmid38958415,
year = {2024},
author = {Doğan, S and Farzali, S and Karimova, B and Sağlam, N},
title = {Evaluation of Methylene Blue as An Effective Antiseptic for Medicinal Leeches (Hirudo verbana).},
journal = {Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi},
volume = {48},
number = {2},
pages = {96-104},
doi = {10.4274/tpd.galenos.2024.85047},
pmid = {38958415},
issn = {2146-3077},
mesh = {Animals ; *Methylene Blue ; *Anti-Infective Agents, Local/pharmacology ; *Leeches ; Leeching ; Aeromonas/drug effects ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Hirudo medicinalis ; Animals, Poisonous ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Medicinal leeches (Hirudo spp.) have been used for therapeutic purposes in humans since ancient times. Because of their growth conditions, leeches carry certain bacteria and endosymbionts (e.g., Aeromonas spp). In both leech farms and hirudotherapy clinics, there are no reliable antiseptics that can be used with leeches. This study aimed to determine whether methylene blue (MB) is a safe antiseptic for medicinal leeches and assess its safe usage.

METHODS: This study evaluated the efficacy of MB by determining lethal concentrations (LC), effective concentrations (EC), and lethal times (LT) for the medicinal leech Hirudo verbena Carena, 1820. A total of 570 H. verbana specimens obtained from a local farm were used in this study. Eighteen different concentrations of MB (between 1 ppm and 512 ppm) were tested.

RESULTS: The LC50 and EC50 values for H. verbana were determined to be 60.381 (53.674-66.636) ppm and 2.013 (1.789-2.221) ppm, respectively. The LT50 durations for MB concentrations of 32 and 512 ppm were calculated as 212.92 h (138.43 h-1485.78 h) and 17.82 h (8.08 h-23.90 h), respectively.

CONCLUSION: The results show that MB concentrations between 2 and 19 ppm can be safely used as antiseptics in hirudotherapy clinics and leech farms to address bacterial concerns caused by medicinal leeches.},
}

Animals
*Methylene Blue
*Anti-Infective Agents, Local/pharmacology
*Leeches
Leeching
Aeromonas/drug effects
Lethal Dose 50
Hirudo medicinalis
Animals, Poisonous

@article {pmid38957696,
year = {2024},
author = {Ross, PA and Hoffmann, AA},
title = {Revisiting Wolbachia detections: Old and new issues in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and other insects.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {e11670},
pmid = {38957696},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Wolbachia continue to be reported in species previously thought to lack them, particularly Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The presence of Wolbachia in this arbovirus vector is considered important because releases of mosquitoes with transinfected Wolbachia are being used around the world to suppress pathogen transmission and these efforts depend on a lack of Wolbachia in natural populations of this species. We previously assessed papers reporting Wolbachia in natural populations of Ae. aegypti and found little evidence that seemed convincing. However, since our review, more and more papers are emerging on Wolbachia detections in this species. Our purpose here is to evaluate these papers within the context of criteria we previously established but also new criteria that include the absence of releases of transinfections within the local areas being sampled which has contaminated natural populations in at least one case where novel detections have been reported. We also address the broader issue of Wolbachia detection in other insects where similar issues may arise which can affect overall estimates of this endosymbiont more generally. We note continuing shortcomings in papers purporting to find natural Wolbachia in Ae. aegypti which are applicable to other insects as well.},
}

@article {pmid38953331,
year = {2024},
author = {Cibichakravarthy, B and Shaked, N and Kapri, E and Gottlieb, Y},
title = {Endosymbiont-derived metabolites are essential for tick host reproductive fitness.},
journal = {mSphere},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0069323},
doi = {10.1128/msphere.00693-23},
pmid = {38953331},
issn = {2379-5042},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Ticks, like other obligatory blood-feeding arthropods, rely on endosymbiotic bacteria to supplement their diet with B vitamins lacking in blood. It has been suggested that additional metabolites such as L-proline may be involved in this nutritional symbiosis, but this has yet to be tested. Here, we studied the metabolite-based interaction between the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) and its Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE). We measured amino acid titers and tested the effect of B vitamins and L-proline supplementation on the fitness of CLE-suppressed female ticks, displaying low titers of CLE. We found higher titers of L-proline in the symbiont-hosting organs of unfed ticks and in engorged blood-fed whole ticks. Supplementation of B vitamins increased the hatching rate of CLE-suppressed ticks; this effect appears to be stronger when L-proline is added. Our results indicate that L-proline is produced by CLE, and we suggest that CLE is essential in states of high metabolic demand that affects tick reproductive fitness, such as oogenesis and embryonic development. These findings demonstrate the broader effect of nutritional symbionts on their hosts and may potentially contribute to the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases.

IMPORTANCE: Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE) are essential to the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus for feeding and reproduction. This symbiosis is based on the supplementation of B vitamins lacking in the blood diet. The involvement of additional metabolites has been suggested, but no experimental evidence is available as yet to confirm a metabolic interaction. Here, we show that B vitamins and L-proline, both of which contribute to tick reproductive fitness, are produced by CLE. These findings demonstrate the importance of symbiont-derived metabolites for the host's persistence and shed light on the complex bacteria-host metabolic interaction, which can be channeled to manipulate and control tick populations.},
}

@article {pmid38946980,
year = {2024},
author = {Jacobs, J and Nakamoto, A and Mastoras, M and Loucks, H and Mirchandani, C and Karim, L and Penunuri, G and Wanket, C and Russell, SL},
title = {Complete de novo assembly of Wolbachia endosymbiont of Drosophila willistoni using long-read genome sequencing.},
journal = {Research square},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.21203/rs.3.rs-4510571/v1},
pmid = {38946980},
abstract = {Wolbachia is an obligate intracellular 𝛼-proteobacterium which commonly infects arthropods and filarial nematodes. Different strains of Wolbachia are capable of a wide range of regulatory manipulations in many hosts and modulate host cellular differentiation to influence host reproduction. The genetic basis for the majority of these phenotypes is unknown. The w Wil strain from the neotropical fruit fly, Drosophila willistoni , exhibits a remarkably high affinity for host germline-derived cells relative to the soma. This trait could be leveraged for understanding how Wolbachia influences the host germline and for controlling host populations in the field. To further the use of this strain in biological and biomedical research, we sequenced the genome of the w Wil strain isolated from host cell culture cells. Here, we present the first high quality nanopore assembly of w Wil, the Wolbachia endosymbiont of D. willistoni . Our assembly resulted in a circular genome of 1.27 Mb with a BUSCO completeness score of 99.7%. Consistent with other insect-associated Wolbachia strains, comparative genomic analysis revealed that wWil has a highly mosaic genome relative to the closely related wMel strain from Drosophila melanogaster .},
}

@article {pmid38940615,
year = {2024},
author = {Hrdina, A and Serra Canales, M and Arias-Rojas, A and Frahm, D and Iatsenko, I},
title = {The endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii increases Drosophila melanogaster resistance to pathogens by enhancing iron sequestration and melanization.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0093624},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.00936-24},
pmid = {38940615},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Facultative endosymbiotic bacteria, such as Wolbachia and Spiroplasma species, are commonly found in association with insects and can dramatically alter their host physiology. Many endosymbionts are defensive and protect their hosts against parasites or pathogens. Despite the widespread nature of defensive insect symbioses and their importance for the ecology and evolution of insects, the mechanisms of symbiont-mediated host protection remain poorly characterized. Here, we utilized the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and its facultative endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii to characterize the mechanisms underlying symbiont-mediated host protection against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Our results indicate a variable effect of S. poulsonii on infection outcome, with endosymbiont-harboring flies being more resistant to Rhyzopus oryzae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Providencia alcalifaciens but more sensitive or as sensitive as endosymbiont-free flies to the infections with Pseudomonas species. Further focusing on the protective effect, we identified Transferrin-mediated iron sequestration induced by Spiroplasma as being crucial for the defense against R. oryzae and P. alcalifaciens. In the case of S. aureus, enhanced melanization in Spiroplasma-harboring flies plays a major role in protection. Both iron sequestration and melanization induced by Spiroplasma require the host immune sensor protease Persephone, suggesting a role of proteases secreted by the symbiont in the activation of host defense reactions. Hence, our work reveals a broader defensive range of Spiroplasma than previously appreciated and adds nutritional immunity and melanization to the defensive arsenal of symbionts.

IMPORTANCE: Defensive endosymbiotic bacteria conferring protection to their hosts against parasites and pathogens are widespread in insect populations. However, the mechanisms by which most symbionts confer protection are not fully understood. Here, we studied the mechanisms of protection against bacterial and fungal pathogens mediated by the Drosophila melanogaster endosymbiont Spiroplasma poulsonii. We demonstrate that besides the previously described protection against wasps and nematodes, Spiroplasma also confers increased resistance to pathogenic bacteria and fungi. We identified Spiroplasma-induced iron sequestration and melanization as key defense mechanisms. Our work broadens the known defense spectrum of Spiroplasma and reveals a previously unappreciated role of melanization and iron sequestration in endosymbiont-mediated host protection. We propose that the mechanisms we have identified here may be of broader significance and could apply to other endosymbionts, particularly to Wolbachia, and potentially explain their protective properties.},
}

@article {pmid38936473,
year = {2024},
author = {Malinski, KH and Elizabeth Moore, M and Kingsolver, JG},
title = {Heat stress and host-parasitoid interactions: lessons and opportunities in a changing climate.},
journal = {Current opinion in insect science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {101225},
doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2024.101225},
pmid = {38936473},
issn = {2214-5753},
abstract = {Ongoing climate change is increasing the frequency and magnitude of high temperature events (HTEs), causing heat stress in parasitoids and their hosts. We argue that HTEs and heat stress should be viewed in terms of the intersecting life cycles of host and parasitoid. Recent studies illustrate how the biological consequences of a given HTE may vary dramatically depending on its timing within these lifecycles. The temperature sensitivity of host manipulation by parasitoids, and by viral endosymbionts of many parasitoids, can contribute to differing responses of hosts and parasitoids to HTEs. In some cases these effects can result in reduced parasitoid success and increased host herbivory, and may disrupt the ecological interactions between hosts and parasitoids. Because most studies to date involve endoparasitoids of aphid or lepidopteran hosts in agricultural systems, our understanding of heat responses of host-parasitoid interactions in natural systems is quite limited.},
}

@article {pmid38935037,
year = {2024},
author = {Dorai, APS and Umina, PA and Chirgwin, E and Yang, Q and Gu, X and Thia, J and Hoffmann, A},
title = {Novel transinfections of Rickettsiella do not affect insecticide tolerance in Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum padi, or Diuraphis noxia (Hemiptera: Aphididae).},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toae136},
pmid = {38935037},
issn = {1938-291X},
support = {UOM1905-002RTX//Grains Research and Development Corporation/ ; //The University of Melbourne/ ; },
abstract = {Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) are economically important crop pests worldwide. Because of growing issues with insecticide resistance and environmental contamination by insecticides, alternate methods are being explored to provide aphid control. Aphids contain endosymbiotic bacteria that affect host fitness and could be targeted as potential biocontrol agents, but such novel strategies should not impact the effectiveness of traditional chemical control. In this work, we used a novel endosymbiont transinfection to examine the impact of the endosymbiont Rickettsiella viridis on chemical tolerance in 3 important agricultural pest species of aphid: Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko ex Kurdjumov) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). We tested tolerance to the commonly used insecticides alpha-cypermethrin, bifenthrin, and pirimicarb using a leaf-dip bioassay. We found no observed effect of this novel endosymbiont transinfection on chemical tolerance, suggesting that the strain of Rickettsiella tested here could be used as a biocontrol agent without affecting sensitivity to insecticides. This may allow Rickettsiella transinfections to be used in combination with chemical applications for pest control. The impacts of other endosymbionts on insecticide tolerance should be considered, along with tests on multiple aphid clones with different inherent levels of chemical tolerance.},
}

@article {pmid38934538,
year = {2024},
author = {Michalik, A and C Franco, D and Szklarzewicz, T and Stroiński, A and Łukasik, P},
title = {Facultatively intrabacterial localization of a planthopper endosymbiont as an adaptation to its vertical transmission.},
journal = {mSystems},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0063424},
doi = {10.1128/msystems.00634-24},
pmid = {38934538},
issn = {2379-5077},
abstract = {Transovarial transmission is the most reliable way of passing on essential nutrient-providing endosymbionts from mothers to offspring. However, not all endosymbiotic microbes follow the complex path through the female host tissues to oocytes on their own. Here, we demonstrate an unusual transmission strategy adopted by one of the endosymbionts of the planthopper Trypetimorpha occidentalis (Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae) from Bulgaria. In this species, an Acetobacteraceae endosymbiont is transmitted transovarially within deep invaginations of cellular membranes of an ancient endosymbiont Sulcia-strikingly resembling recently described plant virus transmission. However, in males, Acetobacteraceae colonizes the same bacteriocytes as Sulcia but remains unenveloped. Then, the unusual endobacterial localization of Acetobacteraceae observed in females appears to be a unique adaptation to maternal transmission. Further, the symbiont's genomic features, including encoding essential amino acid biosynthetic pathways and its similarity to a recently described psyllid symbiont, suggest a unique combination of the ability to horizontally transmit among species and confer nutritional benefits. The close association with Acetobacteraceae symbiont correlates with the so-far-unreported level of genomic erosion of ancient nutritional symbionts of this planthopper. In Sulcia, this is reflected in substantial changes in genomic organization, reported for the first time in the symbiont renowned for its genomic stability. In Vidania, substantial gene loss resulted in one of the smallest genomes known, at 108.6 kb. Thus, the symbionts of T. occidentalis display a combination of unusual adaptations and genomic features that expand our understanding of how insect-microbe symbioses may transmit and evolve.IMPORTANCEReliable transmission across host generations is a major challenge for bacteria that associate with insects, and independently established symbionts have addressed this challenge in different ways. The facultatively endobacterial localization of Acetobacteraceae symbiont, enveloped by cells of ancient nutritional endosymbiont Sulcia in females but not males of the planthopper Trypetimorpha occidentalis, appears to be a unique adaptation to maternal transmission. Acetobacteraceae's genomic features indicate its unusual evolutionary history, and the genomic erosion experienced by ancient nutritional symbionts demonstrates the apparent consequences of such close association. Combined, this multi-partite symbiosis expands our understanding of the diversity of strategies that insect symbioses form and some of their evolutionary consequences.},
}

@article {pmid38924387,
year = {2024},
author = {Devereux, G and Bula, M and Tripp, K and Fitzgerald, R and Eraut, N and Alam, MS and Moriyama, T and Shinkyo, R and Walker, L and Wang, D and Gusovsky, F and van der Velde, J and Turner, JD and Hong, WD and O'Neill, PM and Taylor, MJ and Ward, SA},
title = {A Phase 1, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Single Ascending Dose Trial of AWZ1066S, an Anti-Wolbachia Candidate Macrofilaricide.},
journal = {Clinical pharmacology in drug development},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/cpdd.1441},
pmid = {38924387},
issn = {2160-7648},
abstract = {AWZ1066S has been developed as a potential treatment for the neglected tropical diseases lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. AWZ1066S targets the Wolbachia bacterial endosymbiont present in the causative nematode parasites. This phase 1, first-in-human study aimed to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of AWZ1066S in healthy human participants. In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose study, healthy adults received a single oral dose of AWZ1066S (or placebo) and were followed up for 10 days. The planned single doses of AWZ1066S ranged from 100 to 1600 mg, and each dose was administered to a cohort of 8 participants (6 AWZ1066S and 2 placebo). In total 30 people participated, 18 (60%) female, median age 30.0 years (minimum 20, maximum 61). The cohorts administered 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg of AWZ1066S progressed unremarkably. After single 700-mg doses all 4 participants developed symptoms of acute gastritis and transient increases in liver enzymes. The severity of these adverse events ranged from mild to severe, with 1 participant needing hospital admission. Pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that AWZ1066S is rapidly absorbed with predictable pharmacokinetics. In conclusion, safety concerns prevented this study from reaching the human exposures needed for AWZ1066S to be clinically effective against lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.},
}

@article {pmid38924211,
year = {2024},
author = {Gilkes, JM and Frampton, RA and Board, AJ and Hudson, AO and Price, TG and Morris, VK and Crittenden, DL and Muscroft-Taylor, AC and Sheen, CR and Smith, GR and Dobson, RCJ},
title = {A new lysine biosynthetic enzyme from a bacterial endosymbiont shaped by genetic drift and genome reduction.},
journal = {Protein science : a publication of the Protein Society},
volume = {33},
number = {7},
pages = {e5083},
doi = {10.1002/pro.5083},
pmid = {38924211},
issn = {1469-896X},
mesh = {*Lysine/biosynthesis/metabolism/genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Symbiosis ; *Genetic Drift ; Hydro-Lyases/genetics/chemistry/metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism/chemistry ; Animals ; },
abstract = {The effect of population bottlenecks and genome reduction on enzyme function is poorly understood. Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum is a bacterium with a reduced genome that is transmitted vertically to the egg of an infected psyllid-a population bottleneck that imposes genetic drift and is predicted to affect protein structure and function. Here, we define the function of Ca. L. solanacearum dihydrodipicolinate synthase (CLsoDHDPS), which catalyzes the committed branchpoint reaction in diaminopimelate and lysine biosynthesis. We demonstrate that CLsoDHDPS is expressed in Ca. L. solanacearum and expression is increased ~2-fold in the insect host compared to in planta. CLsoDHDPS has decreased thermal stability and increased aggregation propensity, implying mutations have destabilized the enzyme but are compensated for through elevated chaperone expression and a stabilized oligomeric state. CLsoDHDPS uses a ternary-complex kinetic mechanism, which is to date unique among DHDPS enzymes, has unusually low catalytic ability, but an unusually high substrate affinity. Structural studies demonstrate that the active site is more open, and the structure of CLsoDHDPS with both pyruvate and the substrate analogue succinic-semialdehyde reveals that the product is both structurally and energetically different and therefore evolution has in this case fashioned a new enzyme. Our study suggests the effects of genome reduction and genetic drift on the function of essential enzymes and provides insights on bacteria-host co-evolutionary associations. We propose that bacteria with endosymbiotic lifestyles present a rich vein of interesting enzymes useful for understanding enzyme function and/or informing protein engineering efforts.},
}

*Lysine/biosynthesis/metabolism/genetics
*Genome, Bacterial
*Symbiosis
*Genetic Drift
Hydro-Lyases/genetics/chemistry/metabolism
Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism/chemistry
Animals

@article {pmid38923306,
year = {2024},
author = {Gabr, A and Stephens, TG and Reinfelder, JR and Liau, P and Calatrava, V and Grossman, AR and Bhattacharya, D},
title = {Evidence of a putative CO2 delivery system to the chromatophore in the photosynthetic amoeba Paulinella.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology reports},
volume = {16},
number = {3},
pages = {e13304},
doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.13304},
pmid = {38923306},
issn = {1758-2229},
support = {NJ01180//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; NJ07125//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; 80NSSC19K0462/NASA/NASA/United States ; //Carnegie Institution for Science/ ; OCE-1634154//US National Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Carbon Dioxide/metabolism ; *Photosynthesis/genetics ; *Chromatophores/metabolism ; *Symbiosis ; Amoeba/genetics ; Cyanobacteria/genetics/metabolism ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {The photosynthetic amoeba, Paulinella provides a recent (ca. 120 Mya) example of primary plastid endosymbiosis. Given the extensive data demonstrating host lineage-driven endosymbiont integration, we analysed nuclear genome and transcriptome data to investigate mechanisms that may have evolved in Paulinella micropora KR01 (hereinafter, KR01) to maintain photosynthetic function in the novel organelle, the chromatophore. The chromatophore is of α-cyanobacterial provenance and has undergone massive gene loss due to Muller's ratchet, but still retains genes that encode the ancestral α-carboxysome and the shell carbonic anhydrase, two critical components of the biophysical CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM) in cyanobacteria. We identified KR01 nuclear genes potentially involved in the CCM that arose via duplication and divergence and are upregulated in response to high light and downregulated under elevated CO2. We speculate that these genes may comprise a novel CO2 delivery system (i.e., a biochemical CCM) to promote the turnover of the RuBisCO carboxylation reaction and counteract photorespiration. We posit that KR01 has an inefficient photorespiratory system that cannot fully recycle the C2 product of RuBisCO oxygenation back to the Calvin-Benson cycle. Nonetheless, both these systems appear to be sufficient to allow Paulinella to persist in environments dominated by faster-growing phototrophs.},
}

*Carbon Dioxide/metabolism
*Photosynthesis/genetics
*Chromatophores/metabolism
*Symbiosis
Amoeba/genetics
Cyanobacteria/genetics/metabolism
Phylogeny

@article {pmid38916437,
year = {2024},
author = {Song, Q and Zhao, F and Hou, L and Miao, M},
title = {Cellular interactions and evolutionary origins of endosymbiotic relationships with ciliates.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wrae117},
pmid = {38916437},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {As unicellular predators, ciliates engage in close associations with diverse microbes, laying the foundation for the establishment of endosymbiosis. Originally heterotrophic, ciliates demonstrate the ability to acquire phototrophy by phagocytizing unicellular algae or by sequestering algal plastids. This adaptation enables them to gain photosynthate and develop resistance to unfavorable environmental conditions. The integration of acquired phototrophy with intrinsic phagotrophy results in a trophic mode known as mixotrophy. Additionally, ciliates can harbor thousands of bacteria in various intracellular regions, including the cytoplasm and nucleus, exhibiting species specificity. Under prolonged and specific selective pressure within hosts, bacterial endosymbionts evolve unique lifestyles and undergo particular reductions in metabolic activities. Investigating the research advancements in various endosymbiotic cases within ciliates will contribute to elucidate patterns in cellular interaction and unravel the evolutionary origins of complex traits.},
}

@article {pmid38915450,
year = {2024},
author = {Trouche, B and Schrieke, H and Duron, O and Eren, AM and Reveillaud, J},
title = {Wolbachia populations across organs of individual Culex pipiens: highly conserved intra-individual core pangenome with inter-individual polymorphisms.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {4},
number = {1},
pages = {ycae078},
pmid = {38915450},
issn = {2730-6151},
abstract = {Wolbachia is a maternally inherited intracellular bacterium that infects a wide range of arthropods including mosquitoes. The endosymbiont is widely used in biocontrol strategies due to its capacity to modulate arthropod reproduction and limit pathogen transmission. Wolbachia infections in Culex spp. are generally assumed to be monoclonal but the potential presence of genetically distinct Wolbachia subpopulations within and between individual organs has not been investigated using whole genome sequencing. Here we reconstructed Wolbachia genomes from ovary and midgut metagenomes of single naturally infected Culex pipiens mosquitoes from Southern France to investigate patterns of intra- and inter-individual differences across mosquito organs. Our analyses revealed a remarkable degree of intra-individual conservancy among Wolbachia genomes from distinct organs of the same mosquito both at the level of gene presence-absence signal and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Yet, we identified several synonymous and non-synonymous substitutions between individuals, demonstrating the presence of some level of genomic heterogeneity among Wolbachia that infect the same C. pipiens field population. Overall, the absence of genetic heterogeneity within Wolbachia populations in a single individual confirms the presence of a dominant Wolbachia that is maintained under strong purifying forces of evolution.},
}

@article {pmid38912811,
year = {2024},
author = {Yue, H and Ma, X and Sun, S and Hu, H and Wu, J and Xu, T and Huang, D and Luo, Y and Wu, J and Huang, T},
title = {Diversity and saline-alkali resistance of Coleoptera endosymbiont bacteria in arid and semi-arid climate.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0023224},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.00232-24},
pmid = {38912811},
issn = {2165-0497},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Soil salinization usually occurs in arid and semi-arid climate areas from 37 to 50 degrees north latitude and 73 to 123 degrees east longitude. These regions are inhabited by a large number of Coleopteran insects, which play an important role in the ecological cycle. However, little is known about the endosymbiotic microbial taxa and their biological characteristics in these insects. A study of endosymbiotic microorganisms of Coleoptera from Xinjiang, a typical arid and inland saline area, revealed that endosymbiont bacteria with salinity tolerance are common among the endosymbionts of Coleoptera. Functional prediction of the microbiota analysis indicated a higher abundance of inorganic ion transporters and metabolism in these endosymbiont strains. Screening was conducted on the tolerable 11% NaCl levels of Brevibacterium casei G20 (PRJNA754761), and differential metabolite and proteins were performed. The differential metabolites of the strain during the exponential and plateau phases were found to include benzene compounds, organic acids, and their derivatives. These results suggest that the endosymbiotic microorganisms of Coleoptera in this environment have adaptive evolution to extreme environments, and this group of microorganisms is also one of the important resources for mining saline and alkaline-tolerant chassis microorganisms and high-robustness enzymes.

IMPORTANCE: Coleoptera insects, as the first largest order of insect class, have the characteristics of a wide variety and wide distribution. The arid and semi-arid climate makes it more adaptable. By studying the endosymbiont bacteria of Coleoptera insects, we can systematically understand the adaptability of endosymbiont bacteria to host and special environment. Through the analysis of endosymbiont bacteria of Coleoptera insects in different saline-alkali areas in arid and semi-arid regions of Xinjiang, it was found that bacteria in different host samples were resistant to saline-alkali stress. These results suggest that bacteria and their hosts co-evolved in response to this climate. Therefore, this study is of great significance for understanding the endosymbiont bacteria of Coleoptera insects and obtaining extremophile resources (Saline-alkali-resistant chassis strains with modification potential for the production of bulk chemicals and highly robust industrial enzymes).},
}

@article {pmid38909040,
year = {2024},
author = {Lu, C and Zou, T and Liu, Q and Huang, X},
title = {Twenty-nine newly sequenced genomes and a comprehensive genome dataset for the insect endosymbiont Buchnera.},
journal = {Scientific data},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {673},
pmid = {38909040},
issn = {2052-4463},
support = {31970446//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 31970446//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 31970446//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 31970446//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Aphids/microbiology ; *Buchnera/genetics ; Genome Size ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Phylogeny ; *Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Most phloem-feeding insects face nutritional deficiency and rely on their intracellular symbionts to provide nutrients, and most of endosymbiont genomes have undergone reduction. However, the study of genome reduction processes of endosymbionts has been constrained by the limited availability of genome data from different insect lineages. The obligate relationship between aphids and Buchnera aphidicola (hereafter Buchnera) makes them a classic model for studying insect-endosymbiont interaction. Here, we report 29 newly sequenced Buchnera genomes from 11 aphid subfamilies, and a comprehensive dataset based on 90 Buchnera genomes from 14 aphid subfamilies. The dataset shows a significant genomic difference of Buchnera among different aphid lineages. The dataset exhibits a more balanced distribution of Buchnera (from 14 aphid subfamilies) genome sizes, ranging from 400 kb to 600 kb, which can illustrate the genome reduction process of Buchnera. The new genome data provide valuable insights into the microevolutionary processes leading to genomic reduction of insect endosymbionts.},
}

Animals
*Aphids/microbiology
*Buchnera/genetics
Genome Size
*Genome, Bacterial
Phylogeny
*Symbiosis

@article {pmid38903791,
year = {2024},
author = {Tafesh-Edwards, G and Kyza Karavioti, M and Markollari, K and Bunnell, D and Chtarbanova, S and Eleftherianos, I},
title = {Wolbachia endosymbionts in Drosophila regulate the resistance to Zika virus infection in a sex dependent manner.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1380647},
pmid = {38903791},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Drosophila melanogaster has been used extensively for dissecting the genetic and functional bases of host innate antiviral immunity and virus-induced pathology. Previous studies have shown that the presence of Wolbachia endosymbionts in D. melanogaster confers resistance to infection by certain viral pathogens. Zika virus is an important vector-borne pathogen that has recently expanded its range due to the wide geographical distribution of the mosquito vector. Here, we describe the effect of Wolbachia on the immune response of D. melanogaster adult flies following Zika virus infection. First, we show that the presence of Wolbachia endosymbionts promotes the longevity of uninfected D. melanogaster wild type adults and increases the survival response of flies following Zika virus injection. We find that the latter effect is more pronounced in females rather than in males. Then, we show that the presence of Wolbachia regulates Zika virus replication during Zika virus infection of female flies. In addition, we demonstrate that the antimicrobial peptide-encoding gene Drosocin and the sole Jun N-terminal kinase-specific MAPK phosphatase Puckered are upregulated in female adult flies, whereas the immune and stress response gene TotM is upregulated in male individuals. Finally, we find that the activity of RNA interference and Toll signaling remain unaffected in Zika virus-infected female and male adults containing Wolbachia compared to flies lacking the endosymbionts. Our results reveal that Wolbachia endosymbionts in D. melanogaster affect innate immune signaling activity in a sex-specific manner, which in turn influences host resistance to Zika virus infection. This information contributes to a better understanding of the complex interrelationship between insects, their endosymbiotic bacteria, and viral infection. Interpreting these processes will help us design more effective approaches for controlling insect vectors of infectious disease.},
}

@article {pmid38903055,
year = {2024},
author = {Shama, SM and Elissawy, AM and Salem, MA and Youssef, FS and Elnaggar, MS and El-Seedi, HR and Khalifa, SAM and Briki, K and Hamdan, DI and Singab, ANB},
title = {Comparative metabolomics study on the secondary metabolites of the red alga, Corallina officinalis and its associated endosymbiotic fungi.},
journal = {RSC advances},
volume = {14},
number = {26},
pages = {18553-18566},
pmid = {38903055},
issn = {2046-2069},
abstract = {Marine endosymbionts have gained remarkable interest in the last three decades in terms of natural products (NPs) isolated thereof, emphasizing the chemical correlations with those isolated from the host marine organism. The current study aimed to conduct comparative metabolic profiling of the marine red algae Corallina officinalis, and three fungal endosymbionts isolated from its inner tissues namely, Aspergillus nidulans, A. flavipes and A. flavus. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts of the host organism as well as the isolated endosymbionts were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS)in both positive and negative ion modes, applying both full scan (FS) and all ion fragmentation (AIF) modes. Extensive interpretation of the LC-MS/MS spectra had led to the identification of 76 metabolites belonging to different phytochemical classes including alkaloids, polyketides, sesquiterpenes, butyrolactones, peptides, fatty acids, isocoumarins, quinones, among others. Metabolites were tentatively identified by comparing the accurate mass and fragmentation pattern with metabolites previously reported in the literature, as well as bioinformatics analysis using GNPS. A relationship between the host C. officinalis and its endophytes (A. flavus, A. nidulans, and A. flavipes) was discovered. C. officinalis shares common metabolites with at least one of the three endosymbiotic fungi. Some metabolites have been identified in endophytes and do not exist in their host. Multivariate analysis (MVA) revealed discrimination of A. flavipes from Corallina officinalis and other associated endophytic Aspergillus fungi (A. flavus and A. nidulans).},
}

@article {pmid38902723,
year = {2024},
author = {Liang, Y and Dikow, RB and Su, X and Wen, J and Ren, Z},
title = {Comparative genomics of the primary endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola in aphid hosts and their coevolutionary relationships.},
journal = {BMC biology},
volume = {22},
number = {1},
pages = {137},
pmid = {38902723},
issn = {1741-7007},
support = {31870366//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 31170359//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 201803D421051//International Science and Technology Cooperation Program of Shanxi Province/ ; 2020-018//Shanxi Scholarship Council of China/ ; 2014AA021802//National High-tech Research and Development Program/ ; },
mesh = {*Aphids/microbiology/genetics ; Animals ; *Buchnera/genetics/physiology ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Genomics ; *Phylogeny ; Biological Coevolution ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Coevolution between modern aphids and their primary obligate, bacterial endosymbiont, Buchnera aphidicola, has been previously reported at different classification levels based on molecular phylogenetic analyses. However, the Buchnera genome remains poorly understood within the Rhus gall aphids.

RESULTS: We assembled the complete genome of the endosymbiont Buchnera in 16 aphid samples, representing 13 species in all six genera of Rhus gall aphids by shotgun genome skimming method. We compared the newly assembled genomes with those from GenBank to comprehensively investigate patterns of coevolution between the bacteria Buchnera and their aphid hosts. Buchnera genomes were mostly collinear, and the pan-genome contained 684 genes, in which the core genome contained 256 genes with some lineages having large numbers of tandem gene duplications. There has been substantial gene-loss in each Buchnera lineage. We also reconstructed the phylogeny for Buchnera and their host aphids, respectively, using 72 complete genomes of Buchnera, along with the complete mitochondrial genomes and three nuclear genes of 31 corresponding host aphid accessions. The cophylogenetic test demonstrated significant coevolution between these two partner groups at individual, species, generic, and tribal levels.

CONCLUSIONS: Buchnera exhibits very high levels of genomic sequence divergence but relative stability in gene order. The relationship between the symbionts Buchnera and its aphid hosts shows a significant coevolutionary pattern and supports complexity of the obligate symbiotic relationship.},
}

*Aphids/microbiology/genetics
Animals
*Buchnera/genetics/physiology
*Symbiosis/genetics
*Genome, Bacterial
*Genomics
*Phylogeny
Biological Coevolution

@article {pmid38900924,
year = {2024},
author = {Johnston, IG},
title = {The nitroplast and its relatives support a universal model of features predicting gene retention in endosymbiont and organelle genomes.},
journal = {Genome biology and evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/gbe/evae132},
pmid = {38900924},
issn = {1759-6653},
abstract = {Endosymbiotic relationships have shaped eukaryotic life. As endosymbionts coevolve with their host, towards full integration as organelles, their genomes tend to shrink, with genes being completely lost or transferred to the host nucleus. Modern endosymbionts and organelles show diverse patterns of gene retention, and why some genes and not others are retained in these genomes is not fully understood. Recent bioinformatic study has explored hypothesized influences on these evolutionary processes, finding that hydrophobicity and amino acid chemistry predict patterns of gene retention, both in organelles across eukaryotes and in less mature endosymbiotic relationships. The exciting ongoing elucidation of endosymbiotic relationships affords an independent set of instances to test this theory. Here we compare the properties of retained genes in the nitroplast, recently reported to be an integrated organelle, two related cyanobacterial endosymbionts which form "spheroid bodies" in their host cells, and a range of other endosymbionts, with free-living relatives of each. We find that in each case, the symbiont's genome encodes proteins with higher hydrophobicity and lower amino pKa than their free-living relative, supporting the data-derived model predicting the retention propensity of genes across endosymbiont and organelle genomes.},
}

@article {pmid38895386,
year = {2024},
author = {Marinov, GK and Ramalingam, V and Greenleaf, WJ and Kundaje, A},
title = {An updated compendium and reevaluation of the evidence for nuclear transcription factor occupancy over the mitochondrial genome.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2024.06.04.597442},
pmid = {38895386},
abstract = {In most eukaryotes, mitochondrial organelles contain their own genome, usually circular, which is the remnant of the genome of the ancestral bacterial endosymbiont that gave rise to modern mitochondria. Mitochondrial genomes are dramatically reduced in their gene content due to the process of endosymbiotic gene transfer to the nucleus; as a result most mitochondrial proteins are encoded in the nucleus and imported into mitochondria. This includes the components of the dedicated mitochondrial transcription and replication systems and regulatory factors, which are entirely distinct from the information processing systems in the nucleus. However, since the 1990s several nuclear transcription factors have been reported to act in mitochondria, and previously we identified 8 human and 3 mouse transcription factors (TFs) with strong localized enrichment over the mitochondrial genome using ChIP-seq (Chromatin Immunoprecipitation) datasets from the second phase of the ENCODE (Encyclopedia of DNA Elements) Project Consortium. Here, we analyze the greatly expanded in the intervening decade ENCODE compendium of TF ChIP-seq datasets (a total of 6,153 ChIP experiments for 942 proteins, of which 763 are sequence-specific TFs) combined with interpretative deep learning models of TF occupancy to create a comprehensive compendium of nuclear TFs that show evidence of association with the mitochondrial genome. We find some evidence for chrM occupancy for 50 nuclear TFs and two other proteins, with bZIP TFs emerging as most likely to be playing a role in mitochondria. However, we also observe that in cases where the same TF has been assayed with multiple antibodies and ChIP protocols, evidence for its chrM occupancy is not always reproducible. In the light of these findings, we discuss the evidential criteria for establishing chrM occupancy and reevaluate the overall compendium of putative mitochondrial-acting nuclear TFs.},
}

@article {pmid38885278,
year = {2024},
author = {She, L and Shi, M and Cao, T and Yuan, H and Wang, R and Wang, W and She, Y and Wang, C and Zeng, Q and Mao, W and Zhang, Y and Wang, Y and Xi, Z and Pan, X},
title = {Wolbachia mediates crosstalk between miRNA and Toll pathways to enhance resistance to dengue virus in Aedes aegypti.},
journal = {PLoS pathogens},
volume = {20},
number = {6},
pages = {e1012296},
doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1012296},
pmid = {38885278},
issn = {1553-7374},
abstract = {The obligate endosymbiont Wolbachia induces pathogen interference in the primary disease vector Aedes aegypti, facilitating the utilization of Wolbachia-based mosquito control for arbovirus prevention, particularly against dengue virus (DENV). However, the mechanisms underlying Wolbachia-mediated virus blockade have not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that Wolbachia activates the host cytoplasmic miRNA biogenesis pathway to suppress DENV infection. Through the suppression of the long noncoding RNA aae-lnc-2268 by Wolbachia wAlbB, aae-miR-34-3p, a miRNA upregulated by the Wolbachia strains wAlbB and wMelPop, promoted the expression of the antiviral effector defensin and cecropin genes through the Toll pathway regulator MyD88. Notably, anti-DENV resistance induced by Wolbachia can be further enhanced, with the potential to achieve complete virus blockade by increasing the expression of aae-miR-34-3p in Ae. aegypti. Furthermore, the downregulation of aae-miR-34-3p compromised Wolbachia-mediated virus blockade. These findings reveal a novel mechanism by which Wolbachia establishes crosstalk between the cytoplasmic miRNA pathway and the Toll pathway via aae-miR-34-3p to strengthen antiviral immune responses against DENV. Our results will aid in the advancement of Wolbachia for arbovirus control by enhancing its virus-blocking efficiency.},
}

@article {pmid38877196,
year = {2024},
author = {Hague, MTJ and Wheeler, TB and Cooper, BS},
title = {Comparative analysis of Wolbachia maternal transmission and localization in host ovaries.},
journal = {Communications biology},
volume = {7},
number = {1},
pages = {727},
pmid = {38877196},
issn = {2399-3642},
support = {2145195//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; R35GM124701//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; },
mesh = {*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; Animals ; Female ; *Ovary/microbiology ; *Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology ; *Aedes/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Temperature ; Oocytes/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Many insects and other animals carry microbial endosymbionts that influence their reproduction and fitness. These relationships only persist if endosymbionts are reliably transmitted from one host generation to the next. Wolbachia are maternally transmitted endosymbionts found in most insect species, but transmission rates can vary across environments. Maternal transmission of wMel Wolbachia depends on temperature in natural Drosophila melanogaster hosts and in transinfected Aedes aegypti, where wMel is used to block pathogens that cause human disease. In D. melanogaster, wMel transmission declines in the cold as Wolbachia become less abundant in host ovaries and at the posterior pole plasm (the site of germline formation) in mature oocytes. Here, we assess how temperature affects maternal transmission and underlying patterns of Wolbachia localization across 10 Wolbachia strains diverged up to 50 million years-including strains closely related to wMel-and their natural Drosophila hosts. Many Wolbachia maintain high transmission rates across temperatures, despite highly variable (and sometimes low) levels of Wolbachia in the ovaries and at the developing germline in late-stage oocytes. Identifying strains like closely related wMel-like Wolbachia with stable transmission across variable environmental conditions may improve the efficacy of Wolbachia-based biocontrol efforts as they expand into globally diverse environments.},
}

*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics
Animals
Female
*Ovary/microbiology
*Drosophila melanogaster/microbiology
*Aedes/microbiology
Symbiosis
Temperature
Oocytes/microbiology

@article {pmid38874391,
year = {2024},
author = {Lin, S and Li, L and Zhou, Z and Yuan, H and Saad, OS and Tang, J and Cai, W and Yu, K and Lin, S},
title = {Higher genotypic diversity and distinct assembly mechanism of free-living Symbiodiniaceae assemblages than sympatric coral-endosymbiotic assemblages in a tropical coral reef.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0051424},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.00514-24},
pmid = {38874391},
issn = {2165-0497},
abstract = {While in hospite Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates are essential for coral health, ambient free-living counterparts are crucial for coral recruitment and resilience. Comparing free-living and in hospite Symbiodiniaceae communities can potentially provide insights into endosymbiont acquisition and recurrent recruitment in bleaching recovery. In this study, we studied coral-endosymbiotic and ambient free-living Symbiodiniaceae communities in the South China Sea. We collected samples from 183 coral and ambient plankton samples and conducted metabarcoding to investigate the diversity distribution, driving factors, and assembly mechanisms of the two groups of Symbiodiniaceae. Results revealed Cladocopium C1 and Durusdinium D1 as dominant genotypes. We detected a higher genotypic diversity in free-living than in hospite symbiodiniacean communities, but with shared dominant genotypes. This indicates a genetically diverse pool of Symbiodiniaceae available for recruitment by corals. Strikingly, we found that the cooler area had more Symbiodiniaceae thermosensitive genotypes, whereas the warmer area had more Symbiodiniaceae thermotolerant genotypes. Furthermore, in hospite and free-living Symbiodiniaceae communities were similarly affected by environmental factors, but shaped by different assembly mechanisms. The in hospite communities were controlled mainly by deterministic processes, whereas the ambient communities by stochastic processes. This study sheds light on the genetic diversity of source environmental Symbiodiniaceae and differential assembly mechanisms influencing Symbiodiniaceae inside and outside corals.IMPORTANCESymbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates play a pivotal role as key primary producers within coral reef ecosystems. Coral-endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae communities have been extensively studied, but relatively little work has been reported on the free-living Symbiodiniaceae community. Conducting a comparative analysis between sympatric coral-endosymbiotic and free-living Symbiodiniaceae communities can potentially enhance the understanding of how endosymbiont communities change in response to changing environments and the mechanisms driving these changes. Our findings shed light on the genetic diversity of source environmental Symbiodiniaceae and differential assembly mechanisms shaping free-living and in hospite Symbiodiniaceae communities, with implications in evaluating the adaptive and resilient capacity of corals in response to future climate change.},
}

@article {pmid38874172,
year = {2024},
author = {Wierz, JC and Dirksen, P and Kirsch, R and Krüsemer, R and Weiss, B and Pauchet, Y and Engl, T and Kaltenpoth, M},
title = {Intracellular symbiont Symbiodolus is vertically transmitted and widespread across insect orders.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wrae099},
pmid = {38874172},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {Insects engage in manifold interactions with bacteria that can shift along the parasitism-mutualism continuum. However, only a small number of bacterial taxa managed to successfully colonize a wide diversity of insects, by evolving mechanisms for host-cell entry, immune evasion, germline tropism, reproductive manipulation, and/or by providing benefits to the host that stabilize the symbiotic association. Here we report on the discovery of an Enterobacterales endosymbiont (Symbiodolus, type species S. clandestinus) that is widespread across at least six insect orders and occurs at high prevalence within host populations. Fluorescence in situ hybridization in several Coleopteran and one Dipteran species revealed Symbiodolus' intracellular presence in all host life stages and across tissues, with a high abundance in female ovaries, indicating transovarial vertical transmission. Symbiont genome sequencing across 16 host taxa revealed a high degree of functional conservation in the eroding and transposon-rich genomes. All sequenced Symbiodolus genomes encode for multiple secretion systems, alongside effectors and toxin-antitoxin systems, which likely facilitate host-cell entry and interactions with the host. However, Symbiodolus-infected insects show no obvious signs of disease, and biosynthetic pathways for several amino acids and cofactors encoded by the bacterial genomes suggest that the symbionts may also be able to provide benefits to the hosts. A lack of host-symbiont cospeciation provides evidence for occasional horizontal transmission, so Symbiodolus' success is likely based on a mixed transmission mode. Our findings uncover a hitherto undescribed and widespread insect endosymbiont that may present valuable opportunities to unravel the molecular underpinnings of symbiosis establishment and maintenance.},
}

@article {pmid38869236,
year = {2024},
author = {Taprogge, M and Grath, S},
title = {Modelling suggests Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility in oak gall wasps with cyclical parthenogenesis.},
journal = {Journal of evolutionary biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jeb/voae077},
pmid = {38869236},
issn = {1420-9101},
abstract = {Oak gall wasps typically exhibit a life cycle with one sexual and one asexual generation each year. These wasps can carry various endosymbionts, one of which is the maternally inherited bacterium Wolbachia that can induce several reproductive manipulations on its host. Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) has been described as the most prominent of these manipulations. CI leads to embryonic mortality in the hosts' offspring when infected males mate with either uninfected females or with females that harbour different Wolbachia strains. It has been hypothesized that Wolbachia can induce CI in oak gall wasps. To address this hypothesis, we derived a mathematical model to investigate the spread of a bacterial infection in naive populations and to determine the plausibility of CI occurrence. To validate our model, we used published data from Wolbachia-infected Belonocnema treatae populations in two approaches. Our first approach uses measurements of infection frequencies and maternal transmission in the sexual generation. For the second approach, we extended the model to compare predictions to estimates of mtDNA-haplotypes, which, like Wolbachia, are maternally inherited, and can therefore be associated with the infection. Both approaches indicate that CI is present in these populations. Our model can be generalized to investigate the occurrence of CI not only for oak gall wasps but also for other species.},
}

@article {pmid38867757,
year = {2024},
author = {Schvarcz, CR and Stancheva, R and Turk-Kubo, KA and Wilson, ST and Zehr, JP and Edwards, KF and Steward, GF and Archibald, JM and Oatley, G and Sinclair, E and Santos, C and Paulini, M and Aunin, E and Gettle, N and Niu, H and McKenna, V and O'Brien, R and , and , and , and , and , },
title = {The genome sequences of the marine diatom Epithemia pelagica strain UHM3201 (Schvarcz, Stancheva & Steward, 2022) and its nitrogen-fixing, endosymbiotic cyanobacterium.},
journal = {Wellcome open research},
volume = {9},
number = {},
pages = {232},
pmid = {38867757},
issn = {2398-502X},
abstract = {We present the genome assembly of the pennate diatom Epithemia pelagica strain UHM3201 (Ochrophyta; Bacillariophyceae; Rhopalodiales; Rhopalodiaceae) and that of its cyanobacterial endosymbiont (Chroococcales: Aphanothecaceae). The genome sequence of the diatom is 60.3 megabases in span, and the cyanobacterial genome has a length of 2.48 megabases. Most of the diatom nuclear genome assembly is scaffolded into 15 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The organelle genomes have also been assembled, with the mitochondrial genome 40.08 kilobases and the plastid genome 130.75 kilobases in length. A number of other prokaryote MAGs were also assembled.},
}

@article {pmid38864644,
year = {2024},
author = {Nag, M and Seal, A},
title = {Draft genome announcement of Bacillus velezensis TSB6.1 isolated as a culturable endosymbiont of a nitrogen-fixing endophytic yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa JGTA-S1.},
journal = {Microbiology resource announcements},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0120223},
doi = {10.1128/mra.01202-23},
pmid = {38864644},
issn = {2576-098X},
abstract = {We here report the genome of Bacillus velezensis TSB6.1 isolated as a culturable endosymbiont of an endophytic yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa JGTA-S1. TSB6.1 has a genome size of approximately 4.50 Mb, with 4,597 genes, 45.54% GC content, 3 rRNAs, and 73 tRNAs.},
}

@article {pmid38863830,
year = {2024},
author = {Fan, W and Li, P and Wei, Q and Liu, X and Cai, Y and Li, B and Lu, Y},
title = {Metagenomic next-generation sequencing-assisted diagnosis of a rare case of primary cutaneous acanthamoebiasis in an HIV patient: a case report.},
journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1356095},
pmid = {38863830},
issn = {2235-2988},
mesh = {Humans ; Female ; *High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; *Amebiasis/diagnosis/parasitology/drug therapy ; *Metagenomics/methods ; Middle Aged ; *Acanthamoeba/genetics/isolation & purification ; *HIV Infections/complications ; Skin/pathology/parasitology ; Treatment Outcome ; },
abstract = {Pathogenic and free-living Acanthamoeba are widely distributed in the environment and have been reported to cause keratitis and universally fatal encephalitis. Primary cutaneous acanthamoebiasis caused by Acanthamoeba is exceedingly rare and presents as isolated necrotic cutaneous lesions without involvement of the cornea or central nervous system. Cutaneous acanthamoebiasis often occurs in immunocompromised patients and is likely overlooked or even misdiagnosed only by cutaneous biopsy tissue histopathological analysis. Here, we report a HIV-infected 63-year-old female with oral leukoplakia for 4 months and scattered large skin ulcers all over the body for 2 months. The cause of the cutaneous lesions was unclear through cutaneous specimens histopathological analysis, and subsequently Acanthamoeba were detected by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), which may be the cause of cutaneous lesions. Based on the mNGS results, a pathologist subsequently reviewed the previous pathological slides and found trophozoites of Acanthamoeba so that the cause was identified, and the skin ulcers improved significantly after treatment with multi-drug combination therapy. Acanthamoeba is also a host of pathogenic microorganisms. The presence of endosymbionts enhances the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba, and no other pathogens were reported in this case. mNGS is helpful for rapidly diagnosing the etiology of rare skin diseases and can indicate the presence or absence of commensal microorganisms.},
}

Humans
Female
*High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
*Amebiasis/diagnosis/parasitology/drug therapy
*Metagenomics/methods
Middle Aged
*Acanthamoeba/genetics/isolation & purification
*HIV Infections/complications
Skin/pathology/parasitology
Treatment Outcome

@article {pmid38863001,
year = {2024},
author = {Huang, Z and Wang, D and Zhou, J and He, H and Wei, C},
title = {Segregation of endosymbionts in complex symbiotic system of cicadas providing novel insights into microbial symbioses and evolutionary dynamics of symbiotic organs in sap-feeding insects.},
journal = {Frontiers in zoology},
volume = {21},
number = {1},
pages = {15},
pmid = {38863001},
issn = {1742-9994},
support = {32270496//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32070476//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {The most extraordinary systems of symbiosis in insects are found in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha of Hemiptera, which provide unique perspectives for uncovering complicated insect-microbe symbiosis. We investigated symbionts associated with bacteriomes and fat bodies in six cicada species, and compared transmitted cell number ratio of related symbionts in ovaries among species. We reveal that Sulcia and Hodgkinia or a yeast-like fungal symbiont (YLS) are segregated from other host tissues by the bacteriomes in the nymphal stage, then some of them may migrate to other organs (i.e., fat bodies and ovaries) during host development. Particularly, YLS resides together with Sulcia in the "symbiont ball" of each egg and the bacteriomes of young-instar nymphs, but finally migrates to the fat bodies of adults in the majority of Hodgkinia-free cicadas, whereas it resides in both bacteriome sheath and fat bodies of adults in a few other species. The transmitted Sulcia/YLS or Sulcia/Hodgkinia cell number ratio in ovaries varies significantly among species, which could be related to the distribution and/or lineage splitting of symbiont(s). Rickettsia localizes to the nuclei of bacteriomes and fat bodies in some species, but it was not observed to be transmitted to the ovaries, indicating that this symbiont may be acquired from environments or from father to offspring. The considerable difference in the transovarial transmission process of symbionts suggests that cellular mechanisms underlying the symbiont transmission are complex. Our results may provide novel insights into insect-microbe symbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid38861456,
year = {2024},
author = {Wierz, JC and Gimmel, ML and Huthmacher, S and Engl, T and Kaltenpoth, M},
title = {Evolutionary history of tyrosine-supplementing endosymbionts in pollen-feeding beetles.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wrae080},
pmid = {38861456},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {Many insects feeding on nutritionally challenging diets like plant sap, leaves, or wood engage in ancient associations with bacterial symbionts that supplement limiting nutrients or produce digestive or detoxifying enzymes. However, the distribution, function, and evolutionary dynamics of microbial symbionts in insects exploiting other plant tissues or relying on a predacious diet remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the evolutionary history and function of the intracellular gamma-proteobacterial symbiont "Candidatus Dasytiphilus stammeri" in soft-winged flower beetles (Melyridae, Dasytinae) that transition from saprophagy or carnivory to palinivory (pollen-feeding) between larval and adult stage. Reconstructing the distribution of the symbiont within the Dasytinae phylogeny unraveled a long-term coevolution, originating from a single acquisition event with subsequent host-symbiont codiversification, but also several independent symbiont losses. The analysis of 20 different symbiont genomes revealed that their genomes are severely eroded. However, the universally retained shikimate pathway indicates that the core metabolic contribution to their hosts is the provisioning of tyrosine for cuticle sclerotization and melanization. Despite the high degree of similarity in gene content and order across symbiont strains, the capacity to synthesize additional essential amino acids and vitamins and to recycle urea is retained in some but not all symbionts, suggesting ecological differences among host lineages. This report of tyrosine-provisioning symbionts in insects with saprophagous or carnivorous larvae and pollen-feeding adults expands our understanding of tyrosine supplementation as an important symbiont-provided benefit across a broad range of insects with diverse feeding ecologies.},
}

@article {pmid38857958,
year = {2024},
author = {Li, D and Li, Y and Yu, Y and Ouyang, X and Xiong, X and Jin, S and Jiao, J},
title = {[Investigation of tick - borne Rickettsia in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province in 2023].},
journal = {Zhongguo xue xi chong bing fang zhi za zhi = Chinese journal of schistosomiasis control},
volume = {36},
number = {2},
pages = {154-158},
doi = {10.16250/j.32.1374.2023167},
pmid = {38857958},
issn = {1005-6661},
support = {32000139//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; SKLPBS2217//Open Research Project of State Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism Biosafety/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Rickettsia/isolation & purification/genetics ; China/epidemiology ; Sheep ; Cattle ; Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology/microbiology/veterinary ; Ticks/microbiology ; Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology/epidemiology ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of tick-borne rickettsial infections in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province, 2023, so as to provide insights into the management of tick-borne rickettsioses in the city.

METHODS: Ticks were captured from the body surface of bovines and sheep in Gaoxing Village, Dashan Township, Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province during the period between April and June, 2023, and tick species were identified using morphological and molecular biological techniques. In addition, tick-borne Rickettsia was identified using a nested PCR assay, including spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR), Coxiella spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Orientia spp., and positive amplified fragments were sequenced and aligned with known sequences accessed in the GenBank database.

RESULTS: A total of 200 ticks were collected and all tick species were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus. Nestle PCR assay combined with sequencing identified ticks carrying Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (40.50%), Coxiella burnetii (1.50%), and Coxiella-like endosymbionts (27.00%), and Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp. or Orientsia spp. was not detected.

CONCLUSIONS: R. microplus carried Candidatus R. jingxinensis, C. burnetii, and Coxiella-like endosymbionts in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province. Intensified monitoring of tickborne rickettsial infections is needed in livestock and humans to reduce the damages caused by rickettsioses.},
}

Animals
*Rickettsia/isolation & purification/genetics
China/epidemiology
Sheep
Cattle
Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology/microbiology/veterinary
Ticks/microbiology
Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology/epidemiology

@article {pmid38857239,
year = {2024},
author = {Martinez-Villegas, L and Lado, P and Klompen, H and Wang, S and Cummings, C and Pesapane, R and Short, SM},
title = {The microbiota of Amblyomma americanum reflects known westward expansion.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {6},
pages = {e0304959},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0304959},
pmid = {38857239},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {Animals ; *Microbiota ; Female ; Male ; *Amblyomma/microbiology ; United States ; Ixodidae/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Amblyomma americanum, a known vector of multiple tick-borne pathogens, has expanded its geographic distribution across the United States in the past decades. Tick microbiomes may play a role shaping their host's life history and vectorial capacity. Bacterial communities associated with A. americanum may reflect, or enable, geographic expansion and studying the microbiota will improve understanding of tick-borne disease ecology. We examined the microbiota structure of 189 adult ticks collected in four regions encompassing their historical and current geographic distribution. Both geographic region of origin and sex were significant predictors of alpha diversity. As in other tick models, within-sample diversity was low and uneven given the presence of dominant endosymbionts. Beta diversity analyses revealed that bacterial profiles of ticks of both sexes collected in the West were significantly different from those of the Historic range. Biomarkers were identified for all regions except the historical range. In addition, Bray-Curtis dissimilarities overall increased with distance between sites. Relative quantification of ecological processes showed that, for females and males, respectively, drift and dispersal limitation were the primary drivers of community assembly. Collectively, our findings highlight how microbiota structural variance discriminates the western-expanded populations of A. americanum ticks from the Historical range. Spatial autocorrelation, and particularly the detection of non-selective ecological processes, are indicative of geographic isolation. We also found that prevalence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum ranged from 3.40-5.11% and did not significantly differ by region. Rickettsia rickettsii was absent from our samples. Our conclusions demonstrate the value of synergistic analysis of biogeographic and microbial ecology data in investigating range expansion in A. americanum and potentially other tick vectors as well.},
}

Animals
*Microbiota
Female
Male
*Amblyomma/microbiology
United States
Ixodidae/microbiology

@article {pmid38855918,
year = {2024},
author = {Mulio, SÅ and Zwolińska, A and Klejdysz, T and Prus-Frankowska, M and Michalik, A and Kolasa, M and Łukasik, P},
title = {Limited variation in microbial communities across populations of Macrosteles leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).},
journal = {Environmental microbiology reports},
volume = {16},
number = {3},
pages = {e13279},
doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.13279},
pmid = {38855918},
issn = {1758-2229},
support = {PPN/PPO/2018/1/00015//Narodowa Agencja Wymiany Akademickiej/ ; RGP 0024/2015//Human Frontier Science Program/ ; 2018/30/E/NZ8/00880//Narodowe Centrum Nauki/ ; 2021/41/B/NZ8/04526//Narodowe Centrum Nauki/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Microbiota ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics ; },
abstract = {Microbial symbionts play crucial roles in insect biology, yet their diversity, distribution, and temporal dynamics across host populations remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the spatio-temporal distribution of bacterial symbionts within the widely distributed and economically significant leafhopper genus Macrosteles, with a focus on Macrosteles laevis. Using host and symbiont marker gene amplicon sequencing, we explored the intricate relationships between these insects and their microbial partners. Our analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene data revealed several intriguing findings. First, there was no strong genetic differentiation across M. laevis populations, suggesting gene flow among them. Second, we observed significant levels of heteroplasmy, indicating the presence of multiple mitochondrial haplotypes within individuals. Third, parasitoid infections were prevalent, highlighting the complex ecological interactions involving leafhoppers. The 16S rRNA data confirmed the universal presence of ancient nutritional endosymbionts-Sulcia and Nasuia-in M. laevis. Additionally, we found a high prevalence of Arsenophonus, another common symbiont. Interestingly, unlike most previously studied species, M. laevis exhibited only occasional cases of infection with known facultative endosymbionts and other bacteria. Notably, there was no significant variation in symbiont prevalence across different populations or among sampling years within the same population. Comparatively, facultative endosymbionts such as Rickettsia, Wolbachia, Cardinium and Lariskella were more common in other Macrosteles species. These findings underscore the importance of considering both host and symbiont dynamics when studying microbial associations. By simultaneously characterizing host and symbiont marker gene amplicons in large insect collections, we gain valuable insights into the intricate interplay between insects and their microbial partners. Understanding these dynamics contributes to our broader comprehension of host-microbe interactions in natural ecosystems.},
}

Animals
*Hemiptera/microbiology
*Symbiosis
*Microbiota
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
Phylogeny
Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics

@article {pmid38851009,
year = {2024},
author = {Abuin-Denis, L and Piloto-Sardiñas, E and Maitre, A and Wu-Chuang, A and Mateos-Hernández, L and Paulino, PG and Bello, Y and Bravo, FL and Gutierrez, AA and Fernández, RR and Castillo, AF and Mellor, LM and Foucault-Simonin, A and Obregon, D and Estrada-García, MP and Rodríguez-Mallon, A and Cabezas-Cruz, A},
title = {Differential nested patterns of Anaplasma marginale and Coxiella-like endosymbiont across Rhipicephalus microplus ontogeny.},
journal = {Microbiological research},
volume = {286},
number = {},
pages = {127790},
doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2024.127790},
pmid = {38851009},
issn = {1618-0623},
abstract = {Understanding the intricate ecological interactions within the microbiome of arthropod vectors is crucial for elucidating disease transmission dynamics and developing effective control strategies. In this study, we investigated the ecological roles of Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE) and Anaplasma marginale across larval, nymphal, and adult stages of Rhipicephalus microplus. We hypothesized that CLE would show a stable, nested pattern reflecting co-evolution with the tick host, while A. marginale would exhibit a more dynamic, non-nested pattern influenced by environmental factors and host immune responses. Our findings revealed a stable, nested pattern characteristic of co-evolutionary mutualism for CLE, occurring in all developmental stages of the tick. Conversely, A. marginale exhibited variable occurrence but exerted significant influence on microbial community structure, challenging our initial hypotheses of its non-nested dynamics. Furthermore, in silico removal of both microbes from the co-occurrence networks altered network topology, underscoring their central roles in the R. microplus microbiome. Notably, competitive interactions between CLE and A. marginale were observed in nymphal network, potentially reflecting the impact of CLE on the pathogen transstadial-transmission. These findings shed light on the complex ecological dynamics within tick microbiomes and have implications for disease management strategies.},
}

@article {pmid38842327,
year = {2024},
author = {Sosa-Jiménez, VM and Kvist, S and Manzano-Marín, A and Oceguera-Figueroa, A},
title = {Discovery of a novel symbiotic lineage associated with a hematophagous leech from the genus Haementeria.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0428623},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.04286-23},
pmid = {38842327},
issn = {2165-0497},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Similarly to other strict blood feeders, leeches from the Haementeria genus (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) have established a symbiotic association with bacteria harbored intracellularly in esophageal bacteriomes. Previous genome sequence analyses of these endosymbionts revealed co-divergence with their hosts, a strong genome reduction, and a simplified metabolism largely dedicated to the production of B vitamins, which are nutrients lacking from a blood diet. 'Candidatus Providencia siddallii' has been identified as the obligate nutritional endosymbiont of a monophyletic clade of Mexican and South American Haementeria spp. However, the Haementeria genus includes a sister clade of congeners from Central and South America, where the presence or absence of the aforementioned symbiont taxon remains unknown. In this work, we report on a novel bacterial endosymbiont found in a representative from this Haementeria clade. We found that this symbiont lineage has evolved from within the Pluralibacter genus, known mainly from clinical but also environmental strains. Similarly to Ca. Providencia siddallii, the Haementeria-associated Pluralibacter symbiont displays clear signs of genome reduction, accompanied by an A+T-biased sequence composition. Genomic analysis of its metabolic potential revealed a retention of pathways related to B vitamin biosynthesis, supporting its role as a nutritional endosymbiont. Finally, comparative genomics of both Haementeria symbiont lineages suggests that an ancient Providencia symbiont was likely replaced by the novel Pluralibacter one, thus constituting the first reported case of nutritional symbiont replacement in a leech without morphological changes in the bacteriome.

IMPORTANCE: Obligate symbiotic associations with a nutritional base have likely evolved more than once in strict blood-feeding leeches. Unlike those symbioses found in hematophagous arthropods, the nature, identity, and evolutionary history of these remains poorly studied. In this work, we further explored obligate nutritional associations between Haementeria leeches and their microbial symbionts, which led to the unexpected discovery of a novel symbiosis with a member of the Pluralibacter genus. When compared to Providencia siddallii, an obligate nutritional symbiont of other Haementeria leeches, this novel bacterial symbiont shows convergent retention of the metabolic pathways involved in B vitamin biosynthesis. Moreover, the genomic characteristics of this Pluralibacter symbiont suggest a more recent association than that of Pr. siddallii and Haementeria. We conclude that the once-thought stable associations between blood-feeding Glossiphoniidae and their symbionts (i.e., one bacteriome structure, one symbiont lineage) can break down, mirroring symbiont turnover observed in various arthropod lineages.},
}

@article {pmid38839975,
year = {2024},
author = {Mitchell, JH and Freedman, AH and Delaney, JA and Girguis, PR},
title = {Co-expression analysis reveals distinct alliances around two carbon fixation pathways in hydrothermal vent symbionts.},
journal = {Nature microbiology},
volume = {9},
number = {6},
pages = {1526-1539},
pmid = {38839975},
issn = {2058-5276},
support = {9208//Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (Gordon E. and Betty I. Moore Foundation)/ ; 1940100//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; 80NSSC19K1427//NASA | NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI)/ ; },
mesh = {*Hydrothermal Vents/microbiology ; *Carbon Cycle ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Polychaeta/metabolism ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Citric Acid Cycle ; Sulfides/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Hydrogenase/metabolism/genetics ; Chemoautotrophic Growth ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Nitrates/metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; Bacteria/metabolism/genetics ; },
abstract = {Most autotrophic organisms possess a single carbon fixation pathway. The chemoautotrophic symbionts of the hydrothermal vent tubeworm Riftia pachyptila, however, possess two functional pathways: the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) and the reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycles. How these two pathways are coordinated is unknown. Here we measured net carbon fixation rates, transcriptional/metabolic responses and transcriptional co-expression patterns of Riftia pachyptila endosymbionts by incubating tubeworms collected from the East Pacific Rise at environmental pressures, temperature and geochemistry. Results showed that rTCA and CBB transcriptional patterns varied in response to different geochemical regimes and that each pathway is allied to specific metabolic processes; the rTCA is allied to hydrogenases and dissimilatory nitrate reduction, whereas the CBB is allied to sulfide oxidation and assimilatory nitrate reduction, suggesting distinctive yet complementary roles in metabolic function. Furthermore, our network analysis implicates the rTCA and a group 1e hydrogenase as key players in the physiological response to limitation of sulfide and oxygen. Net carbon fixation rates were also exemplary, and accordingly, we propose that co-activity of CBB and rTCA may be an adaptation for maintaining high carbon fixation rates, conferring a fitness advantage in dynamic vent environments.},
}

*Hydrothermal Vents/microbiology
*Carbon Cycle
Animals
*Symbiosis
*Polychaeta/metabolism
Oxidation-Reduction
Citric Acid Cycle
Sulfides/metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
Hydrogenase/metabolism/genetics
Chemoautotrophic Growth
Gene Expression Profiling
Nitrates/metabolism
Photosynthesis
Bacteria/metabolism/genetics

@article {pmid38837987,
year = {2024},
author = {Senbill, H and Karawia, D and Zeb, J and Alyami, NM and Almeer, R and Rahman, S and Sparagano, O and Baruah, A},
title = {Molecular screening and genetic diversity of tick-borne pathogens associated with dogs and livestock ticks in Egypt.},
journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},
volume = {18},
number = {6},
pages = {e0012185},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0012185},
pmid = {38837987},
issn = {1935-2735},
mesh = {Animals ; Egypt/epidemiology ; Dogs ; *Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology/epidemiology/veterinary/parasitology ; *Dog Diseases/parasitology/microbiology/epidemiology ; *Genetic Variation ; *Ixodidae/microbiology/parasitology ; *Camelus/parasitology/microbiology ; Sheep ; Tick Infestations/veterinary/epidemiology/parasitology ; Ticks/microbiology/parasitology ; Livestock/parasitology/microbiology ; Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics ; Female ; Anaplasma/isolation & purification/genetics/classification ; Male ; Prevalence ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) offer optimal climatic conditions for tick reproduction and dispersal. Research on tick-borne pathogens in this region is scarce. Despite recent advances in the characterization and taxonomic explanation of various tick-borne illnesses affecting animals in Egypt, no comprehensive examination of TBP (tick-borne pathogen) statuses has been performed. Therefore, the present study aims to detect the prevalence of pathogens harbored by ticks in Egypt.

A four-year PCR-based study was conducted to detect a wide range of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) harbored by three economically important tick species in Egypt. Approximately 86.7% (902/1,040) of the investigated Hyalomma dromedarii ticks from camels were found positive with Candidatus Anaplasma camelii (18.8%), Ehrlichia ruminantium (16.5%), Rickettsia africae (12.6%), Theileria annulata (11.9%), Mycoplasma arginini (9.9%), Borrelia burgdorferi (7.7%), Spiroplasma-like endosymbiont (4.0%), Hepatozoon canis (2.4%), Coxiella burnetii (1.6%) and Leishmania infantum (1.3%). Double co-infections were recorded in 3.0% (27/902) of Hy. dromedarii ticks, triple co-infections (simultaneous infection of the tick by three pathogen species) were found in 9.6% (87/902) of Hy. dromedarii ticks, whereas multiple co-infections (simultaneous infection of the tick by ≥ four pathogen species) comprised 12% (108/902). Out of 1,435 investigated Rhipicephalus rutilus ticks collected from dogs and sheep, 816 (56.9%) ticks harbored Babesia canis vogeli (17.1%), Rickettsia conorii (16.2%), Ehrlichia canis (15.4%), H. canis (13.6%), Bo. burgdorferi (9.7%), L. infantum (8.4%), C. burnetii (7.3%) and Trypanosoma evansi (6.6%) in dogs, and 242 (16.9%) ticks harbored Theileria lestoquardi (21.6%), Theileria ovis (20.0%) and Eh. ruminantium (0.3%) in sheep. Double, triple, and multiple co-infections represented 11% (90/816), 7.6% (62/816), and 10.3% (84/816), respectively in Rh. rutilus from dogs, whereas double and triple co-infections represented 30.2% (73/242) and 2.1% (5/242), respectively in Rh. rutilus from sheep. Approximately 92.5% (1,355/1,465) of Rhipicephalus annulatus ticks of cattle carried a burden of Anaplasma marginale (21.3%), Babesia bigemina (18.2%), Babesia bovis (14.0%), Borrelia theleri (12.8%), R. africae (12.4%), Th. annulata (8.7%), Bo. burgdorferi (2.7%), and Eh. ruminantium (2.5%). Double, triple, and multiple co-infections represented 1.8% (25/1,355), 11.5% (156/1,355), and 12.9% (175/1,355), respectively. The detected pathogens' sequences had 98.76-100% similarity to the available database with genetic divergence ranged between 0.0001 to 0.0009% to closest sequences from other African, Asian, and European countries. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close similarities between the detected pathogens and other isolates mostly from African and Asian countries.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Continuous PCR-detection of pathogens transmitted by ticks is necessary to overcome the consequences of these infection to the hosts. More restrictions should be applied from the Egyptian authorities on animal importations to limit the emergence and re-emergence of tick-borne pathogens in the country. This is the first in-depth investigation of TBPs in Egypt.},
}

Animals
Egypt/epidemiology
Dogs
*Tick-Borne Diseases/microbiology/epidemiology/veterinary/parasitology
*Dog Diseases/parasitology/microbiology/epidemiology
*Genetic Variation
*Ixodidae/microbiology/parasitology
*Camelus/parasitology/microbiology
Sheep
Tick Infestations/veterinary/epidemiology/parasitology
Ticks/microbiology/parasitology
Livestock/parasitology/microbiology
Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics
Female
Anaplasma/isolation & purification/genetics/classification
Male
Prevalence

@article {pmid38835259,
year = {2024},
author = {Choi, A and Seong, JW and Kim, JH and Lee, JY and Cho, HJ and Kang, SA and Park, MK and Jeong, MJ and Choi, SY and Jeong, YJ and Yu, HS},
title = {Presence and diversity of free-living amoebae and their potential application as water quality indicators.},
journal = {Parasites, hosts and diseases},
volume = {62},
number = {2},
pages = {180-192},
doi = {10.3347/PHD.24020},
pmid = {38835259},
issn = {2982-6799},
mesh = {*Amoeba/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; *Water Quality ; Phylogeny ; Rivers/parasitology ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; Acanthamoeba/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics ; Biodiversity ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; },
abstract = {Free-living amoebae (FLA) are found in diverse environments, such as soils, rivers, and seas. Hence, they can be used as bioindicators to assess the water quality based solely on their presence. In this study, we determined the presence of FLA in river water by filtering water samples collected from various sites and culturing the resulting filtrates. FLA were detected in all the water samples with varying quality grades (Grades Ι-V). The significant increase in the size of the amoebae population with the deterioration in the water quality. Monoxenic cultures of the amoebae were performed, and genomic DNAs were isolated, among which 18S rDNAs were sequenced to identify the amoeba species. Of the 12 species identified, 10 belonged to the Acanthamoeba genus; of the remaining 2 species, one was identified as Vannella croatica and the other as a species of Vermamoeba. Acanthamoeba was detected in samples with Grades Ι to VI quality, whereas the Vermamoeba species was present only in Grade Ι water. V. croatica was found exclusively in water with Grade ΙΙ quality. Following morphological observations, genomic DNA was sequenced using 16S rDNA to determine whether the species of Acanthamoeba harbored endosymbionts. Most of the isolated Acanthamoeba contained endosymbionts, among which 4 species of endogenous bacteria were identified and examined using transmission electron microscopy. This study provides evidence that the distribution of amoebae other than Acanthamoeba may be associated with water quality. However, further confirmation will be required based on accurate water quality ratings and assessments using a more diverse range of FLA.},
}

*Amoeba/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
*Water Quality
Phylogeny
Rivers/parasitology
DNA, Protozoan/genetics
Acanthamoeba/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics
DNA, Ribosomal/genetics
Biodiversity
Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics

@article {pmid38832800,
year = {2024},
author = {Takasu, R and Izu, T and Nakabachi, A},
title = {A limited concentration range of diaphorin, a polyketide produced by a bacterial symbiont of the Asian citrus psyllid, promotes the in vitro gene expression with bacterial ribosomes.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0017024},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.00170-24},
pmid = {38832800},
issn = {2165-0497},
abstract = {Diaphorin is a polyketide produced by "Candidatus Profftella armatura" (Gammaproteobacteria: Burkholderiales), an obligate symbiont of a devastating agricultural pest, the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Physiological concentrations of diaphorin, which D. citri contains at levels as high as 2-20 mM, are inhibitory to various eukaryotes and Bacillus subtilis (Firmicutes: Bacilli) but promote the growth and metabolic activity of Escherichia coli (Gammaproteobacteria: Enterobacterales). Our previous study demonstrated that 5-mM diaphorin, which exhibits significant inhibitory and promoting effects on cultured B. subtilis and E. coli, respectively, inhibits in vitro gene expression utilizing purified B. subtilis and E. coli ribosomes. This suggested that the adverse effects of diaphorin on B. subtilis are partly due to its influence on gene expression. However, the result appeared inconsistent with the positive impact on E. coli. Moreover, the diaphorin concentration in bacterial cells, where genes are expressed in vivo, may be lower than in culture media. Therefore, the present study analyzed the effects of 50 and 500 µM of diaphorin on bacterial gene expression using the same analytical method. The result revealed that this concentration range of diaphorin, in contrast to 5-mM diaphorin, promotes the in vitro translation with the B. subtilis and E. coli ribosomes, suggesting that the positive effects of diaphorin on E. coli are due to its direct effects on translation. This study demonstrated for the first time that a pederin-type compound promotes gene expression, establishing a basis for utilizing its potential in pest management and industrial applications.IMPORTANCEThis study revealed that a limited concentration range of diaphorin, a secondary metabolite produced by a bacterial symbiont of an agricultural pest, promotes cell-free gene expression utilizing substrates and proteins purified from bacteria. The unique property of diaphorin, which is inhibitory to various eukaryotes and Bacillus subtilis but promotes the growth and metabolic activity of Escherichia coli, may affect the microbial flora of the pest insect, potentially influencing the transmission of devastating plant pathogens. Moreover, the activity may be exploited to improve the efficacy of industrial production by E. coli, which is often used to produce various important materials, including pharmaceuticals, enzymes, amino acids, and biofuels. This study elucidated a part of the mechanism by which the unique activity of diaphorin is expressed, constructing a foundation for applying the distinct property to pest management and industrial use.},
}

@article {pmid38832111,
year = {2024},
author = {Cantin, LJ and Gregory, V and Blum, LN and Foster, JM},
title = {Dual RNA-seq in filarial nematodes and Wolbachia endosymbionts using RNase H based ribosomal RNA depletion.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1418032},
pmid = {38832111},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis is caused by parasitic nematodes and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Many filarial worms contain the bacterium Wolbachia as an obligate endosymbiont. RNA sequencing is a common technique used to study their molecular relationships and to identify potential drug targets against the nematode and bacteria. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is the most abundant RNA species, accounting for 80-90% of the RNA in a sample. To reduce sequencing costs, it is necessary to remove ribosomal reads through poly-A enrichment or ribosomal depletion. Bacterial RNA does not contain a poly-A tail, making it difficult to sequence both the nematode and Wolbachia from the same library preparation using standard poly-A selection. Ribosomal depletion can utilize species-specific oligonucleotide probes to remove rRNA through pull-down or degradation methods. While species-specific probes are commercially available for many commonly studied model organisms, there are currently limited depletion options for filarial parasites. Here, we performed total RNA sequencing from Brugia malayi containing the Wolbachia symbiont (wBm) and designed ssDNA depletion probes against their rRNA sequences. We compared the total RNA library to poly-A enriched, Terminator 5'-Phosphate-Dependent Exonuclease treated, NEBNext Human/Bacteria rRNA depleted and our custom nematode probe depleted libraries. The custom nematode depletion library had the lowest percentage of ribosomal reads across all methods, with a 300-fold decrease in rRNA when compared to the total RNA library. The nematode depletion libraries also contained the highest percentage of Wolbachia mRNA reads, resulting in a 16-1,000-fold increase in bacterial reads compared to the other enrichment and depletion methods. Finally, we found that the Brugia malayi depletion probes can remove rRNA from the filarial worm Dirofilaria immitis and the majority of rRNA from the more distantly related free living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. These custom filarial probes will allow for future dual RNA-seq experiments between nematodes and their bacterial symbionts from a single sequencing library.},
}

@article {pmid38827308,
year = {2024},
author = {Miller, TC and Bentlage, B},
title = {Seasonal dynamics and environmental drivers of tissue and mucus microbiomes in the staghorn coral Acropora pulchra.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {e17421},
pmid = {38827308},
issn = {2167-8359},
mesh = {Animals ; *Anthozoa/microbiology ; *Microbiota/physiology/genetics ; *Seasons ; *Coral Reefs ; Mucus/microbiology ; Seawater/microbiology ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Rainfall-induced coastal runoff represents an important environmental impact in near-shore coral reefs that may affect coral-associated bacterial microbiomes. Shifts in microbiome community composition and function can stress corals and ultimately cause mortality and reef declines. Impacts of environmental stress may be site specific and differ between coral microbiome compartments (e.g., tissue versus mucus). Coastal runoff and associated water pollution represent a major stressor for near-shore reef-ecosystems in Guam, Micronesia.

METHODS: Acropora pulchra colonies growing on the West Hagåtña reef flat in Guam were sampled over a period of 8 months spanning the 2021 wet and dry seasons. To examine bacterial microbiome diversity and composition, samples of A. pulchra tissue and mucus were collected during late April, early July, late September, and at the end of December. Samples were collected from populations in two different habitat zones, near the reef crest (farshore) and close to shore (nearshore). Seawater samples were collected during the same time period to evaluate microbiome dynamics of the waters surrounding coral colonies. Tissue, mucus, and seawater microbiomes were characterized using 16S DNA metabarcoding in conjunction with Illumina sequencing. In addition, water samples were collected to determine fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations as an indicator of water pollution. Water temperatures were recorded using data loggers and precipitation data obtained from a nearby rain gauge. The correlation structure of environmental parameters (temperature and rainfall), FIB concentrations, and A. pulchra microbiome diversity was evaluated using a structural equation model. Beta diversity analyses were used to investigate spatio-temporal trends of microbiome composition.

RESULTS: Acropora pulchra microbiome diversity differed between tissues and mucus, with mucus microbiome diversity being similar to the surrounding seawater. Rainfall and associated fluctuations of FIB concentrations were correlated with changes in tissue and mucus microbiomes, indicating their role as drivers of A. pulchra microbiome diversity. A. pulchra tissue microbiome composition remained relatively stable throughout dry and wet seasons; tissues were dominated by Endozoicomonadaceae, coral endosymbionts and putative indicators of coral health. In nearshore A. pulchra tissue microbiomes, Simkaniaceae, putative obligate coral endosymbionts, were more abundant than in A. pulchra colonies growing near the reef crest (farshore). A. pulchra mucus microbiomes were more diverse during the wet season than the dry season, a distinction that was also associated with drastic shifts in microbiome composition. This study highlights the seasonal dynamics of coral microbiomes and demonstrates that microbiome diversity and composition may differ between coral tissues and the surface mucus layer.},
}

Animals
*Anthozoa/microbiology
*Microbiota/physiology/genetics
*Seasons
*Coral Reefs
Mucus/microbiology
Seawater/microbiology
Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification

@article {pmid38821141,
year = {2024},
author = {Hudson, CM and Stalder, D and Vorburger, C},
title = {Clines of resistance to parasitoids: The multifarious effects of temperature on defensive symbioses in insects.},
journal = {Current opinion in insect science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {101208},
doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2024.101208},
pmid = {38821141},
issn = {2214-5753},
abstract = {Insects are frequently infected with heritable bacterial endosymbionts. Some of them confer resistance to parasitoids. Such defensive symbionts are sensitive to variation in temperature. Drawing predominantly from the literature on aphids and flies, we show that temperature can affect the reliability of maternal transmission and the strength of protection provided by defensive symbionts. Costs of infection with defensive symbionts can also be temperature-dependent and may even turn into benefits under extreme temperatures, e.g. when defensive symbionts increase heat tolerance. Alone or in combination, these mechanisms can drive temperature-associated (latitudinal) clines of infection prevalence with defensive symbionts. This has important consequences for host-parasitoid coevolution, as the relative importance of host-encoded vs. symbiont-provided defenses will shift along such clines.},
}

@article {pmid38813885,
year = {2024},
author = {Bennett, GM and Kwak, Y and Maynard, R},
title = {Endosymbioses have shaped the evolution of biological diversity and complexity time and time again.},
journal = {Genome biology and evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/gbe/evae112},
pmid = {38813885},
issn = {1759-6653},
abstract = {Life on Earth comprises prokaryotes and a broad assemblage of endosymbioses. The pages of Molecular Biology and Evolution (MBE) and Genome Biology and Evolution (GBE) have provided an essential window into how endosymbioses have evolved and shaped biological diversity. Here, we provide a current perspective on this knowledge by drawing on decades of revelatory research published in MBE and GBE, and insights from the field at large. The accumulated work clearly illustrates how endosymbioses provide hosts with novel phenotypes that allow them to transition between adaptive landscapes to access environmental resources. Such endosymbiotic relationships have shaped and reshaped life on Earth. The early serial establishment of mitochondria and chloroplasts through endosymbioses permitted massive upscaling of cellular energetics, multicellularity, and terrestrial planetary greening. These endosymbioses are also the foundation upon which all later ones are built, including everything from land-plant endosymbioses with fungi and bacteria to the nutritional endosymbioses found in invertebrate animals. Common evolutionary mechanisms have shaped this broad range of interactions. Endosymbionts generally experience adaptive and stochastic genome streamlining, the extent of which depends on several key factors (e.g., mode of transmission). Hosts, in contrast, adapt complex mechanisms of resource exchange, cellular integration and regulation, and genetic support mechanisms to prop up degraded symbionts. However, there are significant differences between endosymbiotic interactions not only in how partners have evolved with each other, but also in the scope of their influence on biological diversity. These differences are important considerations for predicting how endosymbioses will persist and adapt to a changing planet.},
}

@article {pmid38804043,
year = {2024},
author = {Owens, LA and Thurber, MI and Goldberg, TL},
title = {CRISPR-Cas9-mediated host signal reduction for 18S metabarcoding of host-associated eukaryotes.},
journal = {Molecular ecology resources},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e13980},
doi = {10.1111/1755-0998.13980},
pmid = {38804043},
issn = {1755-0998},
support = {1R01AG049395-01/HI/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 1R21AI163592-01/HI/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; T32AI007414/HI/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Metabarcoding-based methods for identification of host-associated eukaryotes have the potential to revolutionize parasitology and microbial ecology, yet significant technical challenges remain. In particular, highly abundant host reads can mask the presence of less-abundant target organisms, especially for sample types rich in host DNA (e.g., blood and tissues). Here, we present a new CRISPR-Cas9-mediated approach designed to reduce host signal by selective amplicon digestion, thus enriching clinical samples for eukaryotic endosymbiont sequences during metabarcoding. Our method achieves a nearly 76% increased efficiency in host signal reduction compared with no treatment and a nearly 60% increased efficiency in host signal reduction compared with the most commonly used published method. Furthermore, the application of our method to clinical samples allows for the detection of parasite infections that would otherwise have been missed.},
}

@article {pmid38797544,
year = {2024},
author = {Ichegiri, A and Kodolikar, K and Bagade, V and Selukar, M and Dey, T},
title = {Mitochondria: A source of potential biomarkers for non-communicable diseases.},
journal = {Advances in clinical chemistry},
volume = {121},
number = {},
pages = {334-365},
doi = {10.1016/bs.acc.2024.04.007},
pmid = {38797544},
issn = {2162-9471},
mesh = {Humans ; *Biomarkers/metabolism/analysis ; *Mitochondria/metabolism ; *Noncommunicable Diseases ; Neoplasms/metabolism/diagnosis ; Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases/metabolism/diagnosis ; },
abstract = {Mitochondria, as an endosymbiont of eukaryotic cells, controls multiple cellular activities, including respiration, reactive oxygen species production, fatty acid synthesis, and death. Though the majority of functional mitochondrial proteins are translated through a nucleus-controlled process, very few of them (∼10%) are translated within mitochondria through their own machinery. Germline and somatic mutations in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA significantly impact mitochondrial homeostasis and function. Such modifications disturbing mitochondrial biogenesis, metabolism, or mitophagy eventually resulted in cellular pathophysiology. In this chapter, we discussed the impact of mitochondria and its dysfunction on several non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular problems. Mitochondrial dysfunction and its outcome could be screened by currently available omics-based techniques, flow cytometry, and high-resolution imaging. Such characterization could be evaluated as potential biomarkers to assess the disease burden and prognosis.},
}

Humans
*Biomarkers/metabolism/analysis
*Mitochondria/metabolism
*Noncommunicable Diseases
Neoplasms/metabolism/diagnosis
Animals
Cardiovascular Diseases/metabolism/diagnosis

@article {pmid38796552,
year = {2024},
author = {Wijegunawardana, NDAD and Gunawardene, YINS and Abeyewickreme, W and Chandrasena, TGAN and Thayanukul, P and Kittayapong, P},
title = {Diversity of Wolbachia infections in Sri Lankan mosquitoes with a new record of Wolbachia Supergroup B infecting Aedes aegypti vector populations.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {11966},
pmid = {38796552},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {Animals ; *Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Aedes/microbiology/virology ; Sri Lanka ; *Mosquito Vectors/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; Female ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Multilocus Sequence Typing/methods ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia bacteria are common endosymbionts of insects and have recently been applied for controlling arboviral vectors, especially Aedes aegypti mosquito populations. However, several medically important mosquito species in Sri Lanka were present with limited information for the Wolbachia infection status. Therefore, the screening of Wolbachia in indigenous mosquitoes is required prior to a successful application of Wolbachia-based vector control strategy. In this study, screening of 78 mosquito species collected from various parts of the country revealed that 13 species were positive for Wolbachia infection, giving ~ 17% infection frequency of Wolbachia among the Sri Lankan mosquitoes. Twelve Wolbachia-positive mosquito species were selected for downstream Wolbachia strain genotyping using Multi Locus Sequencing Type (MLST), wsp gene, and 16S rRNA gene-based approaches. Results showed that these Wolbachia strains clustered together with the present Wolbachia phylogeny of world mosquito populations with some variations. Almost 90% of the mosquito populations were infected with supergroup B while the remaining were infected with supergroup A. A new record of Wolbachia supergroup B infection in Ae. aegypti, the main vectors of dengue, was highlighted. This finding was further confirmed by real-time qPCR, revealing Wolbachia density variations between Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus (p = 0.001), and between males and females (p < 0.05). The evidence of natural Wolbachia infections in Ae. aegypti populations in Sri Lanka is an extremely rare incident that has the potential to be used for arboviral vector control.},
}

Animals
*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification
*Aedes/microbiology/virology
Sri Lanka
*Mosquito Vectors/microbiology
*Phylogeny
Female
Male
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Multilocus Sequence Typing/methods

@article {pmid38792834,
year = {2024},
author = {Moerbeck, L and Parreira, R and Szczotko, M and Seixas, G and Velez, R and Dmitryjuk, M and Santos, AS and Domingos, A and Antunes, S},
title = {Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens Circulating in Peri-Domestic Areas in Mainland Portugal.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {12},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {38792834},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2022.14376.BD//Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/ ; },
abstract = {Over the years, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have garnered significant interest due to their medical, veterinary and economic importance. Additionally, TBPs have drawn attention to how these microorganisms interact with their own vectors, increasing the risk to human and animal infection of emerging and reemerging zoonoses. In this sense, ticks, which are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites, have a key role in maintaining and transmitting TBPs among humans and animals. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of neglected TBPs in mainland Portugal, namely Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp. and Neoehrlichia mikurensis. DNA fragments were detected in questing ticks collected from five different ecological areas under investigation. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study reports new worldwide findings, including B. bigemina infecting Ixodes frontalis, Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Additionally, it presents new findings in Portugal of N. mikurensis infecting I. ricinus and of presumably Wolbachia endosymbionts being detected in I. ricinus. Overall, there were 208 tick samples that were negative for all screened TBPs. The results herein obtained raise concerns about the circulation of neglected TBPs in mainland Portugal, especially in anthropophilic ticks, highlighting the importance of adopting a One Health perspective.},
}

@article {pmid38786870,
year = {2024},
author = {Shi, Z and Luo, M and Yuan, J and Gao, B and Yang, M and Wang, G},
title = {CRISPR/Cas9-Based Functional Characterization of SfUGT50A15 Reveals Its Roles in the Resistance of Spodoptera frugiperda to Chlorantraniliprole, Emamectin Benzoate, and Benzoxazinoids.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {38786870},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {No. KQTD20180411143628272//Shenzhen Science and Technology Program/ ; No. PT202101-02//science technology innovation and industrial development of Shenzhen Dapeng New Distric/ ; 32202305//the Youth Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022M723451//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are a diverse superfamily of enzymes. Insects utilize uridine diphosphate-glucose (UDP-glucose) as a glycosyl donor for glycosylation in vivo, involved in the glycosylation of lipophilic endosymbionts and xenobiotics, including phytotoxins. UGTs act as second-stage detoxification metabolizing enzymes, which are essential for the detoxification metabolism of insecticides and benzoxazine compounds. However, the UGT genes responsible for specific glycosylation functions in S. frugiperda are unclear at present. In this study, we utilized CRISPR/Cas9 to produce a SfUGT50A15-KO strain to explore its possible function in governing sensitivity to chemical insecticides or benzoxazinoids. The bioassay results suggested that the SfUGT50A15-KO strain was significantly more sensitive to chlorantraniliprole, emamectin benzoate, and benzoxazinoids than the wild-type strains. This finding suggests that the overexpression of the SfUGT50A15 gene may be linked to S. frugiperda resistance to pesticides (chlorantraniliprole and emamectin benzoate) as well as benzoxazinoids (BXDs).},
}

@article {pmid38786149,
year = {2024},
author = {Löckener, I and Behrmann, LV and Reuter, J and Schiefer, A and Klöckner, A and Krannich, S and Otten, C and Mölleken, K and Ichikawa, S and Hoerauf, A and Schneider, T and Pfarr, KM and Henrichfreise, B},
title = {The MraY Inhibitor Muraymycin D2 and Its Derivatives Induce Enlarged Cells in Obligate Intracellular Chlamydia and Wolbachia and Break the Persistence Phenotype in Chlamydia.},
journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {13},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/antibiotics13050421},
pmid = {38786149},
issn = {2079-6382},
support = {398967434 - TRR261//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)/ ; N.a.//BONFOR intramural funding program, Medical Faculty of Bonn University/ ; N.a.//Jürgen Manchot foundation/ ; N.a.//FEMHABIL, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn/ ; JP22H02738//JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)/ ; JP22ama121039//AMED/ ; N.a.//Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes/ ; },
abstract = {Chlamydial infections and diseases caused by filarial nematodes are global health concerns. However, treatment presents challenges due to treatment failures potentially caused by persisting Chlamydia and long regimens against filarial infections accompanied by low compliance. A new treatment strategy could be the targeting of the reduced peptidoglycan structures involved in cell division in the obligate intracellular bacteria Chlamydia and Wolbachia, the latter being obligate endosymbionts supporting filarial development, growth, and survival. Here, cell culture experiments with C. trachomatis and Wolbachia showed that the nucleoside antibiotics muraymycin and carbacaprazamycin interfere with bacterial cell division and induce enlarged, aberrant cells resembling the penicillin-induced persistence phenotype in Chlamydia. Enzymatic inhibition experiments with purified C. pneumoniae MraY revealed that muraymycin derivatives abolish the synthesis of the peptidoglycan precursor lipid I. Comparative in silico analyses of chlamydial and wolbachial MraY with the corresponding well-characterized enzyme in Aquifex aeolicus revealed a high degree of conservation, providing evidence for a similar mode of inhibition. Muraymycin D2 treatment eradicated persisting non-dividing C. trachomatis cells from an established penicillin-induced persistent infection. This finding indicates that nucleoside antibiotics may have additional properties that can break bacterial persistence.},
}

@article {pmid38784393,
year = {2024},
author = {Scott, TJ and Stephenson, CJ and Rao, S and Queller, DC and Strassmann, JE},
title = {Unpredictable soil conditions can affect the prevalence of a microbial symbiosis.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {e17445},
pmid = {38784393},
issn = {2167-8359},
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Dictyostelium/microbiology ; Burkholderiaceae/isolation & purification ; Soil/chemistry ; United States/epidemiology ; Chlamydia/isolation & purification ; },
abstract = {The evolution of symbiotic interactions may be affected by unpredictable conditions. However, a link between prevalence of these conditions and symbiosis has not been widely demonstrated. We test for these associations using Dictyostelium discoideum social amoebae and their bacterial endosymbionts. D. discoideum commonly hosts endosymbiotic bacteria from three taxa: Paraburkholderia, Amoebophilus and Chlamydiae. Three species of facultative Paraburkholderia endosymbionts are the best studied and give hosts the ability to carry prey bacteria through the dispersal stage to new environments. Amoebophilus and Chlamydiae are obligate endosymbiont lineages with no measurable impact on host fitness. We tested whether the frequency of both single infections and coinfections of these symbionts were associated with the unpredictability of their soil environments by using symbiont presence-absence data from D. discoideum isolates from 21 locations across the eastern United States. We found that symbiosis across all infection types, symbiosis with Amoebophilus and Chlamydiae obligate endosymbionts, and symbiosis involving coinfections were not associated with any of our measures. However, unpredictable precipitation was associated with symbiosis in two species of Paraburkholderia, suggesting a link between unpredictable conditions and symbiosis.},
}

*Symbiosis
*Soil Microbiology
*Dictyostelium/microbiology
Burkholderiaceae/isolation & purification
Soil/chemistry
United States/epidemiology
Chlamydia/isolation & purification

@article {pmid38778070,
year = {2024},
author = {Liu, HQ and Li, HJ and Pan, Q and Xiang, YZ},
title = {Endosymbionts of citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton among different citrus orchards in China.},
journal = {Scientific data},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {519},
pmid = {38778070},
issn = {2052-4463},
mesh = {Animals ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics ; China ; *Citrus ; Larva/microbiology ; *Moths/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Endosymbionts regulate the behavior of pest species, which could provide insights into their control. The citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton) is a widely distributed pest associated with diseases of citrus, especially of young trees. Here, we determined the endosymbiont composition of P. citrella in citrus orchards across China. The resulting dataset comprised average 50,430 high-quality reads for bacterial 16S rRNA V3-V4 regions of endosymbionts from 36 P. citrella larvae sampled from 12 citrus orchards across China. The sequencing depth and sampling size of this dataset were sufficient to reveal most of the endosymbionts of P. citrella. In total, 2,875 bacterial amplicon sequence variants were obtained; taxonomic analysis revealed a total of 372 bacterial genera, most of which were Proteobacteria phylum with Undibacterium being the most abundant genus. This dataset provides the first evidence of P. citrella endosymbionts that could support the development of pest management approaches in citrus orchards.},
}

Animals
*Bacteria/classification/genetics
China
*Citrus
Larva/microbiology
*Moths/microbiology
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Symbiosis

@article {pmid38776328,
year = {2024},
author = {Khosravi, G and Akbarzadeh, K and Karimian, F and Koosha, M and Saeedi, S and Oshaghi, MA},
title = {A survey of Wolbachia infection in brachyceran flies from Iran.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {19},
number = {5},
pages = {e0301274},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0301274},
pmid = {38776328},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification ; Animals ; Iran ; *Diptera/microbiology ; *Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia is a maternally inherited intracellular bacterium that is considered to be the most plentiful endosymbiont found in arthropods. It reproductively manipulates its host to increase the chances of being transmitted to the insect progeny; and it is currently used as a means of suppressing disease vector populations or controlling vector-borne diseases. Studies of the dissemination and prevalence of Wolbachia among its arthropod hosts are important for its possible use as a biological control agent. The molecular identification of Wolbachia relies on different primers sets due to Wolbachia strain variation. Here, we screened for the presence of Wolbachia in a broad range of Brachycera fly species (Diptera), collected from different regions of Iran, using nine genetic markers (wsp, ftsZ, fbpA, gatB, CoxA, gltA, GroEL dnaA, and 16s rRNA), for detecting, assessing the sensitivity of primers for detection, and phylogeny of this bacterium. The overall incidence of Wolbachia among 22 species from six families was 27.3%. The most commonly positive fly species were Pollenia sp. and Hydrotaea armipes. However, the bacterium was not found in the most medically important flies or in potential human disease vectors, including Musca domestica, Sarcophaga spp., Calliphora vicinia, Lucilia sericata, and Chrysomya albiceps. The primer sets of 16s rRNA with 53.0% and gatB with 52.0% were the most sensitive primers for detecting Wolbachia. Blast search, phylogenetic, and MLST analysis of the different locus sequences of Wolbachia show that all the six distantly related fly species likely belonging to supergroup A. Our study showed some primer sets generated false negatives in many of the samples, emphasizing the importance of using different loci in detecting Wolbachia. The study provides the groundwork for future studies of a Wolbachia-based program for control of flies.},
}

*Wolbachia/genetics/isolation & purification
Animals
Iran
*Diptera/microbiology
*Phylogeny
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics

@article {pmid38775916,
year = {2024},
author = {Yamazaki, T and Sawai, K and Takahashi, Y and Matsuo, J},
title = {Characterization of Actin-based Genotypes and Mycoplasma Endosymbionts of Trichomonas vaginalis Isolated in Sapporo, Japan.},
journal = {Acta parasitologica},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38775916},
issn = {1896-1851},
abstract = {PURPOSE: Trichomonas vaginalis is a causative agent of common non-viral sexually transmitted infections worldwide. However, the biological features, such as genotypes and endosymbionts, of T. vaginalis isolated in Japan remain unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize the actin-based genotypes and the endosymbionts of T. vaginalis isolated in Sapporo, Japan.

METHODS: Three T. vaginalis clinical strains were isolated in Sapporo, Japan between 2019 and 2022. Actin-based genotyping was conducted by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. The endosymbionts, such as Mycoplasma sp. and Trichomonasvirus, were detected using PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. Furthermore, the detected Mycoplasma spp. were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

RESULTS: Of the three T. vaginalis strains, two belonged to genotype E, whereas one was genotype G as determined by actin-based genotyping. Two of the T. vaginalis strains harbored Mycoplasma spp. Using nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing, both were identified as Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii. In contrast, the Trichomonasvirus was not found in the T. vaginalis strains.

CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report on the characterization of actin-based genotypes and the presence of endosymbiotic Ca. M. girerdii in T. vaginalis strains in Japan. Thus, this study will provide an important impetus for future research.},
}

@article {pmid38774968,
year = {2024},
author = {Leybourne, DJ and Whitehead, MA and Will, T},
title = {Genetic diversity in vector populations influences the transmission efficiency of an important plant virus.},
journal = {Biology letters},
volume = {20},
number = {5},
pages = {20240095},
doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2024.0095},
pmid = {38774968},
issn = {1744-957X},
mesh = {*Aphids/virology/genetics ; Animals ; *Genetic Variation ; *Insect Vectors/virology/genetics ; *Plant Diseases/virology ; *Luteovirus/genetics/physiology ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {The transmission efficiency of aphid-vectored plant viruses can differ between aphid populations. Intra-species diversity (genetic variation, endosymbionts) is a key determinant of aphid phenotype; however, the extent to which intra-species diversity contributes towards variation in virus transmission efficiency is unclear. Here, we use multiple populations of two key aphid species that vector barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) strain PAV (BYDV-PAV), the grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) and the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi), and examine how diversity in vector populations influences virus transmission efficiency. We use Illumina sequencing to characterize genetic and endosymbiont variation in multiple Si. avenae and Rh. padi populations and conduct BYDV-PAV transmission experiments to identify links between intra-species diversity in the vector and virus transmission efficiency. We observe limited variation in the transmission efficiency of Si. avenae, with transmission efficiency consistently low for this species. However, for Rh. padi, we observe a range of transmission efficiencies and show that BYDV transmission efficiency is influenced by genetic diversity within the vector, identifying 542 single nucleotide polymorphisms that potentially contribute towards variable transmission efficiency in Rh. padi. Our results represent an important advancement in our understanding of the relationship between genetic diversity, vector-virus interactions, and virus transmission efficiency.},
}

*Aphids/virology/genetics
Animals
*Genetic Variation
*Insect Vectors/virology/genetics
*Plant Diseases/virology
*Luteovirus/genetics/physiology
Symbiosis

@article {pmid38774956,
year = {2024},
author = {Strand, EL and Wong, KH and Farraj, A and Gray, S and McMenamin, A and Putnam, HM},
title = {Coral species-specific loss and physiological legacy effects are elicited by extended marine heatwave.},
journal = {The Journal of experimental biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1242/jeb.246812},
pmid = {38774956},
issn = {1477-9145},
support = {1017848//National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; 1756623//National Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {Marine heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity, with potentially catastrophic consequences for marine ecosystems like coral reefs. An extended heatwave and recovery time-series that incorporates multiple stressors and is environmentally realistic can provide enhanced predictive capacity for performance under climate change conditions. We exposed common reef-building corals in Hawai'i, Montipora capitata and Pocillopora acuta, to a two-month period of high temperature and high pCO2 conditions or ambient conditions in a factorial design, followed by two months of ambient conditions. High temperature, rather than high pCO2, drove multivariate physiology shifts through time in both species, including decreases in respiration rates and endosymbiont densities. Pocillopora acuta exhibited more significantly negatively altered physiology, substantially higher bleaching, and mortality than M. capitata. The sensitivity of P. acuta appears to be driven by higher baseline rates of photosynthesis paired with lower host antioxidant capacity, creating an increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. Thermal tolerance of M. capitata may be partly due to harboring a mixture of Cladocopium and Durusdinium spp., while P. acuta was dominated by other distinct Cladocopium spp. Only M. capitata survived the experiment, but physiological state in heatwave-exposed M. capitata remained significantly diverged at the end of recovery relative to individuals that experienced ambient conditions. In future climate scenarios, particularly marine heatwaves, our results indicate a species-specific loss of corals that is driven by baseline host and symbiont physiological differences as well as Symbiodiniaceae community compositions with the surviving species experiencing physiological legacies that are likely to influence future stress responses.},
}

@article {pmid38772333,
year = {2024},
author = {Miyata, M and Nomura, M and Kageyama, D},
title = {Rapid spread of a vertically transmitted symbiont induces drastic shifts in butterfly sex ratio.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {34},
number = {10},
pages = {R490-R492},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.027},
pmid = {38772333},
issn = {1879-0445},
mesh = {Animals ; *Sex Ratio ; *Wolbachia/physiology/genetics ; *Symbiosis ; *Butterflies/microbiology/physiology/genetics ; Female ; Male ; },
abstract = {The causes and consequences of sex-ratio dynamics constitutes a pivotal subject in evolutionary biology[1]. Under conditions of evolutionary equilibrium, the male-to-female ratio tends to be approximately 1:1; however, this equilibrium is susceptible to distortion by selfish genetic elements exemplified by driving sex chromosomes and cytoplasmic elements[2][,][3]. Although previous studies have documented instances of these genetic elements distorting the sex ratio, studies specifically tracking the process with which these distorters spread within populations, leading to a transition from balanced parity to a skewed, female-biased state, are notably lacking. Herein, we present compelling evidence documenting the rapid spread of the cytoplasmic endosymbiont Wolbachia within a localized population of the pierid butterfly Eurema hecabe (Figure 1A). This spread resulted in a shift in the sex ratio from near parity to an exceedingly skewed state overwhelmingly biased toward females, reaching 93.1% within a remarkably brief period of 4 years.},
}

Animals
*Sex Ratio
*Wolbachia/physiology/genetics
*Symbiosis
*Butterflies/microbiology/physiology/genetics
Female
Male

@article {pmid38754618,
year = {2024},
author = {Soleymani, E and Fakhar, M and Davoodi, L and Motavallihaghi, S and Sharifpour, A and Maghsood, AH},
title = {Isolation, characterization, and pathogenicity assay of Acanthamoeba and its endosymbionts in respiratory disorders and COVID-19 hospitalized patients, northern Iran.},
journal = {Experimental parasitology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108774},
doi = {10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108774},
pmid = {38754618},
issn = {1090-2449},
abstract = {Acanthamoeba spp., are common free-living amoebae found in nature that can serve as reservoirs for certain microorganisms. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a newly emerged respiratory infection, and the investigation of parasitic infections remains an area of limited research. Given that Acanthamoeba can act as a host for various endosymbiotic microbial pathogens and its pathogenicity assay is not fully understood, this study aimed to identify Acanthamoeba and its bacterial and fungal endosymbionts in patients with chronic respiratory disorders and hospitalized COVID-19 patients in northern Iran. Additionally, a pathogenicity assay was conducted on Acanthamoeba isolates. Urine, nasopharyngeal swab, and respiratory specimens were collected from two groups, and each sample was cultured on 1.5% non-nutrient agar medium. The cultures were then incubated at room temperature and monitored daily for a period of two weeks. Eight Acanthamoeba isolates were identified, and PCR was performed to confirm the presence of amoebae and identify their endosymbionts. Four isolates were found to have bacterial endosymbionts, including Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Achromobacter sp., while two isolates harbored fungal endosymbionts, including an uncultured fungus and Gloeotinia sp. In the pathogenicity assay, five isolates exhibited a higher degree of pathogenicity compared to the other three. This study provides significant insights into the comorbidity of acanthamoebiasis and COVID-19 on a global scale, and presents the first evidence of Gloeotinia sp. as a fungal endosymbiont. Nevertheless, further research is required to fully comprehend the symbiotic patterns and establish effective treatment protocols.},
}

@article {pmid38754321,
year = {2024},
author = {Varasteh, T and Lima, MS and Silva, TA and da Cruz, MLR and Ahmadi, RA and Atella, GC and Attias, M and Swings, J and de Souza, W and Thompson, FL and Thompson, CC},
title = {The dispersant Corexit 9500 and (dispersed) oil are lethal to coral endosymbionts.},
journal = {Marine pollution bulletin},
volume = {203},
number = {},
pages = {116491},
doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116491},
pmid = {38754321},
issn = {1879-3363},
abstract = {Endosymbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) play a vital role in the health of corals. Seawater pollution can harm these endosymbionts and dispersants used during oil spill cleanup can be extremely toxic to these organisms. Here, we examined the impact of oil and a specific dispersant, Corexit-9500, on two representative endosymbionts - Symbiodinium and Cladocopium - from the Southwestern endemic coral Mussismilia braziliensis. The survival and photosynthetic potential of the endosymbionts decreased dramatically after exposure to the dispersant and oil by ~25 % after 2 h and ~50 % after 7 days. Low concentrations of dispersant (0.005 ml/l) and dispersed oil (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, 1132 μg/l; Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons, 595 μg/l) proved highly toxic to both Symbiodinium and Cladocopium. These levels triggered a reduction in growth rate, cell size, and cell wall thickness. After a few hours of exposure, cellular organelles were damaged or destroyed. These acute toxic effects underline the fragile nature of coral endosymbionts.},
}

@article {pmid38745070,
year = {2024},
author = {Gimmi, E and Wallisch, J and Vorburger, C},
title = {Ecological divergence despite common mating sites: Genotypes and symbiotypes shed light on cryptic diversity in the black bean aphid species complex.},
journal = {Heredity},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {38745070},
issn = {1365-2540},
support = {31003A_181969//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (Swiss National Science Foundation)/ ; 31003A_181969//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (Swiss National Science Foundation)/ ; 31003A_181969//Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (Swiss National Science Foundation)/ ; },
abstract = {Different host plants represent ecologically dissimilar environments for phytophagous insects. The resulting divergent selection can promote the evolution of specialized host races, provided that gene flow is reduced between populations feeding on different plants. In black bean aphids belonging to the Aphis fabae complex, several morphologically cryptic taxa have been described based on their distinct host plant preferences. However, host choice and mate choice are largely decoupled in these insects: they are host-alternating and migrate between specific summer host plants and shared winter hosts, with mating occurring on the shared hosts. This provides a yearly opportunity for gene flow among aphids using different summer hosts, and raises the question if and to what extent the ecologically defined taxa are reproductively isolated. Here, we analyzed a geographically and temporally structured dataset of microsatellite genotypes from A. fabae that were mostly collected from their main winter host Euonymus europaeus, and additionally from another winter host and fourteen summer hosts. The data reveals multiple, strongly differentiated genetic clusters, which differ in their association with different summer and winter hosts. The clusters also differ in the frequency of infection with two heritable, facultative endosymbionts, separately hinting at reproductive isolation and divergent ecological selection. Furthermore, we found evidence for occasional hybridization among genetic clusters, with putative hybrids collected more frequently in spring than in autumn. This suggests that similar to host races in other phytophagous insects, both prezygotic and postzygotic barriers including selection against hybrids maintain genetic differentiation among A. fabae taxa, despite a common mating habitat.},
}

@article {pmid38743668,
year = {2024},
author = {Felipin, KP and Paloschi, MV and Silva, MDS and Ikenohuchi, YJ and Santana, HM and Setúbal, SDS and Rego, CMA and Lopes, JA and Boeno, CN and Serrath, SN and De Medeiros, EHRT and Pimentel, IF and Oliveira, AER and Cupolillo, E and Cantanhêde, LM and Ferreira, RGM and Zuliani, JP},
title = {Transcriptomics analysis highlights potential ways in human pathogenesis in Leishmania braziliensis infected with the viral endosymbiont LRV1.},
journal = {PLoS neglected tropical diseases},
volume = {18},
number = {5},
pages = {e0012126},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0012126},
pmid = {38743668},
issn = {1935-2735},
mesh = {Humans ; *Leishmania braziliensis/genetics/immunology ; *Macrophages/immunology/virology ; *Leishmaniavirus/genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/immunology ; Brazil ; Symbiosis ; Cytokines/metabolism/genetics ; Transcriptome ; Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous/immunology/parasitology ; },
abstract = {The parasite Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is widely distributed in Brazil and is one of the main species associated with human cases of different forms of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) such as cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and mucosal leishmaniasis (ML). The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of TL are still not fully understood, but it is known that factors related to the host and the parasite act in a synergistic and relevant way to direct the response to the infection. In the host, macrophages have a central connection with the parasite and play a fundamental role in the defense of the organism due to their ability to destroy intracellular parasites and present antigens. In the parasite, some intrinsic factors related to the species or even the strain analyzed are fundamental for the outcome of the disease. One of them is the presence of Leishmania RNA Virus 1 (LRV1), an endosymbiont virus that parasitizes some species of Leishmania that triggers a cascade of signals leading to a more severe TL phenotype, such as ML. One of the strategies for understanding factors associated with the immune response generated after Leishmania/host interaction is through the analysis of molecular patterns after infection. Thus, the gene expression profile in human monocyte-derived macrophages obtained from healthy donors infected in vitro with L. braziliensis positive (LbLRV1+) and negative (LbLRV1-) for LRV1 was evaluated. For this, the microarray assay was used and 162 differentially expressed genes were identified in the comparison LbLRV1+ vs. LbLRV1-, 126 upregulated genes for the type I and II interferons (IFN) signaling pathway, oligoadenylate synthase OAS/RNAse L, non-genomic actions of vitamin D3 and RIG-I type receptors, and 36 down-regulated. The top 10 downregulated genes along with the top 10 upregulated genes were considered for analysis. Type I interferon (IFNI)- and OAS-related pathways results were validated by RT-qPCR and Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines were analyzed by Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The microarray results validated by RT-qPCR showed differential expression of genes related to IFNI-mediated pathways with overexpression of different genes in cells infected with LbLRV1+ compared to LbLRV1- and to the control. No significant differences were found in cytokine levels between LbLRV1+ vs. LbLRV1- and control. The data suggest the activation of gene signaling pathways associated with the presence of LRV1 has not yet been reported so far. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the activation of the OAS/RNase L signaling pathway and the non-genomic actions of vitamin D3 when comparing infections with LbLRV1+ versus LbLRV1- and the control. This finding emphasizes the role of LRV1 in directing the host's immune response after infection, underlining the importance of identifying LRV1 in patients with TL to assess disease progression.},
}

Humans
*Leishmania braziliensis/genetics/immunology
*Macrophages/immunology/virology
*Leishmaniavirus/genetics
Gene Expression Profiling
Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/immunology
Brazil
Symbiosis
Cytokines/metabolism/genetics
Transcriptome
Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous/immunology/parasitology

@article {pmid38742892,
year = {2024},
author = {Martyn, C and Hayes, BM and Lauko, D and Midthun, E and Castaneda, G and Bosco-Lauth, A and Salkeld, DJ and Kistler, A and Pollard, KS and Chou, S},
title = {Metatranscriptomic investigation of single Ixodes pacificus ticks reveals diverse microbes, viruses, and novel mRNA-like endogenous viral elements.},
journal = {mSystems},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0032124},
doi = {10.1128/msystems.00321-24},
pmid = {38742892},
issn = {2379-5077},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Ticks are increasingly important vectors of human and agricultural diseases. While many studies have focused on tick-borne bacteria, far less is known about tick-associated viruses and their roles in public health or tick physiology. To address this, we investigated patterns of bacterial and viral communities across two field populations of western black-legged ticks (Ixodes pacificus). Through metatranscriptomic analysis of 100 individual ticks, we quantified taxon prevalence, abundance, and co-occurrence with other members of the tick microbiome. In addition to commonly found tick-associated microbes, we assembled 11 novel RNA virus genomes from Rhabdoviridae, Chuviridae, Picornaviridae, Phenuiviridae, Reoviridae, Solemovidiae, Narnaviridae and two highly divergent RNA virus genomes lacking sequence similarity to any known viral families. We experimentally verified the presence of these in I. pacificus ticks across several life stages. We also unexpectedly identified numerous virus-like transcripts that are likely encoded by tick genomic DNA, and which are distinct from known endogenous viral element-mediated immunity pathways in invertebrates. Taken together, our work reveals that I. pacificus ticks carry a greater diversity of viruses than previously appreciated, in some cases resulting in evolutionarily acquired virus-like transcripts. Our findings highlight how pervasive and intimate tick-virus interactions are, with major implications for both the fundamental biology and vectorial capacity of I. pacificus ticks.

IMPORTANCE: Ticks are increasingly important vectors of disease, particularly in the United States where expanding tick ranges and intrusion into previously wild areas has resulted in increasing human exposure to ticks. Emerging human pathogens have been identified in ticks at an increasing rate, and yet little is known about the full community of microbes circulating in various tick species, a crucial first step to understanding how they interact with each and their tick host, as well as their ability to cause disease in humans. We investigated the bacterial and viral communities of the Western blacklegged tick in California and found 11 previously uncharacterized viruses circulating in this population.},
}

@article {pmid38742878,
year = {2024},
author = {Mies, US and Hervé, V and Kropp, T and Platt, K and Sillam-Dussès, D and Šobotník, J and Brune, A},
title = {Genome reduction and horizontal gene transfer in the evolution of Endomicrobia-rise and fall of an intracellular symbiosis with termite gut flagellates.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0082624},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.00826-24},
pmid = {38742878},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {Bacterial endosymbionts of eukaryotic hosts typically experience massive genome reduction, but the underlying evolutionary processes are often obscured by the lack of free-living relatives. Endomicrobia, a family-level lineage of host-associated bacteria in the phylum Elusimicrobiota that comprises both free-living representatives and endosymbionts of termite gut flagellates, are an excellent model to study evolution of intracellular symbionts. We reconstructed 67 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of Endomicrobiaceae among more than 1,700 MAGs from the gut microbiota of a wide range of termites. Phylogenomic analysis confirmed a sister position of representatives from termites and ruminants, and allowed to propose eight new genera in the radiation of Endomicrobiaceae. Comparative genome analysis documented progressive genome erosion in the new genus Endomicrobiellum, which comprises all flagellate endosymbionts characterized to date. Massive gene losses were accompanied by the acquisition of new functions by horizontal gene transfer, which led to a shift from a glucose-based energy metabolism to one based on sugar phosphates. The breakdown of glycolysis and many anabolic pathways for amino acids and cofactors in several subgroups was compensated by the independent acquisition of new uptake systems, including an ATP/ADP antiporter, from other gut microbiota. The putative donors are mostly flagellate endosymbionts from other bacterial phyla, including several, hitherto unknown lineages of uncultured Alphaproteobacteria, documenting the importance of horizontal gene transfer in the convergent evolution of these intracellular symbioses. The loss of almost all biosynthetic capacities in some lineages of Endomicrobiellum suggests that their originally mutualistic relationship with flagellates is on its decline.IMPORTANCEUnicellular eukaryotes are frequently colonized by bacterial and archaeal symbionts. A prominent example are the cellulolytic gut flagellates of termites, which harbor diverse but host-specific bacterial symbionts that occur exclusively in termite guts. One of these lineages, the so-called Endomicrobia, comprises both free-living and endosymbiotic representatives, which offers the unique opportunity to study the evolutionary processes underpinning the transition from a free-living to an intracellular lifestyle. Our results revealed a progressive gene loss in energy metabolism and biosynthetic pathways, compensated by the acquisition of new functions via horizontal gene transfer from other gut bacteria, and suggest the eventual breakdown of an initially mutualistic symbiosis. Evidence for convergent evolution of unrelated endosymbionts reflects adaptations to the intracellular environment of termite gut flagellates.},
}

@article {pmid38732070,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhang, J and Liu, Q and Dai, L and Zhang, Z and Wang, Y},
title = {Pan-Genome Analysis of Wolbachia, Endosymbiont of Diaphorina citri, Reveals Independent Origin in Asia and North America.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {25},
number = {9},
pages = {},
pmid = {38732070},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {2021YFD1400805//Nation Key R & D Program of China/ ; 31672031//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32272537//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {*Wolbachia/genetics/classification ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; Animals ; *Phylogeny ; Asia ; North America ; Hemiptera/microbiology/genetics ; Diptera/microbiology/genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia, a group of Gram-negative symbiotic bacteria, infects nematodes and a wide range of arthropods. Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) that causes citrus greening disease, is naturally infected with Wolbachia (wDi). However, the interaction between wDi and D. citri remains poorly understood. In this study, we performed a pan-genome analysis using 65 wDi genomes to gain a comprehensive understanding of wDi. Based on average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis, we classified the wDi strains into Asia and North America strains. The ANI analysis, principal coordinates analysis (PCoA), and phylogenetic tree analysis supported that the D. citri in Florida did not originate from China. Furthermore, we found that a significant number of core genes were associated with metabolic pathways. Pathways such as thiamine metabolism, type I secretion system, biotin transport, and phospholipid transport were highly conserved across all analyzed wDi genomes. The variation analysis between Asia and North America wDi showed that there were 39,625 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 2153 indels, 10 inversions, 29 translocations, 65 duplications, 10 SV-based insertions, and 4 SV-based deletions. The SV-based insertions and deletions involved genes encoding transposase, phage tail tube protein, ankyrin repeat (ANK) protein, and group II intron-encoded protein. Pan-genome analysis of wDi contributes to our understanding of the geographical population of wDi, the origin of hosts of D. citri, and the interaction between wDi and its host, thus facilitating the development of strategies to control the insects and huanglongbing (HLB).},
}

*Wolbachia/genetics/classification
*Symbiosis/genetics
*Genome, Bacterial
Animals
*Phylogeny
Asia
North America
Hemiptera/microbiology/genetics
Diptera/microbiology/genetics
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

@article {pmid38725798,
year = {2024},
author = {Setegn, A and Amare, GA and Mihret, Y},
title = {Wolbachia and Lymphatic Filarial Nematodes and Their Implications in the Pathogenesis of the Disease.},
journal = {Journal of parasitology research},
volume = {2024},
number = {},
pages = {3476951},
pmid = {38725798},
issn = {2090-0023},
abstract = {Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is an infection of three closely related filarial worms such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. These worms can cause a devastating disease that involves acute and chronic lymphoedema of the extremities, which can cause elephantiasis in both sexes and hydroceles in males. These important public health nematodes were found to have a mutualistic relationship with intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia, which is essential for the development and survival of the nematode. The host's inflammatory response to parasites and possibly also to the Wolbachia endosymbiont is the cause of lymphatic damage and disease pathogenesis. This review tried to describe and highlight the mutualistic associations between Wolbachia and lymphatic filarial nematodes and the role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of lymphatic filariasis. Articles for this review were searched from PubMed, Google Scholar, and other databases. Article searching was not restricted by publication year; however, only English version full-text articles were included.},
}

@article {pmid38721335,
year = {2024},
author = {Nahusenay, G and Wolde, G and Tena, W and Tamiru, T},
title = {Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) growth, nodulation, and yield as affected by varieties, Mesorhizobium strains, and NPSB fertilizer in Southern Ethiopia.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1372082},
pmid = {38721335},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {A significant legume crop in Ethiopia, chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) have several advantages, including high nutritional value and the capacity to improve soils deficient in nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation using several endosymbiotic Mesorhizobium spp. strains. However, the host variety, the soil's capacity to hold nutrients, and the endosymbiont's innate physiological traits all affect how efficient the strains are. The primary obstacles to its cultivation in the research area are inadequate agronomic methods and low soil fertility [low nitrogen (N), low soil organic matter (OM), low accessible phosphorous (P), sulfur (S), and boron (B)], which results in ineffective nodulation. To evaluate the effects of NPSB fertilization and inoculation, a field experiment was carried out in Buchach Kebele's Cheha area during the primary cropping season of 2021/22. The trial included two chickpea kinds (Local and Arerti), two NPSB levels (zero and 121 kg NPSB ha[-1]), and four levels of Mesorhizobium strains (CP-M41, CP-EAL 029, CP-M20b, and un-inoculated control). A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used to organize the treatments in a factorial form with three replications. In comparison to the single application and the control, the interaction impact of strains, NPSB fertilizer, and variety greatly increased nodulation parameters, growth parameters, yield, and yield components. The Arerti variety combined with the CP-M41 Mesorhizobium strain and NPSB fertilizer had the maximum grain production (3177.16 kg ha[-1]). It yielded 15.96%, 24.06%, and 37.93% more than the Arerti with CP-M41 strain, Arerti with NPSB, and the control treatments, respectively. The partial budget analysis of the study treatments showed that the Arerti variety with the combined application of 121 kg NPSB ha-1 and Mesorhizobium strain CP-M41 inoculation produced the highest net return (102,092.6 ETB ha[-1]) with an acceptable marginal rate of return (618%). It has been found that the CP-M41 strain and the Arerti variety, when combined with 121 kg NPSB ha[-1] application, is a suitable treatment combination to achieve increased chickpea crop yield and profit in the studied area. However, the results need further validation in the farmer's field before recommending to farmers.},
}

@article {pmid38719945,
year = {2024},
author = {Zhang, Y and Chen, H and Lian, C and Cao, L and Guo, Y and Wang, M and Zhong, Z and Li, M and Zhang, H and Li, C},
title = {Insights into phage-bacteria interaction in cold seep Gigantidas platifrons through metagenomics and transcriptome analyses.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {10540},
pmid = {38719945},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {42030407//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022QNLM030004//Laoshan Laboratory/ ; ZDBS-LY-DQC032//the Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences/ ; XDA22050303//the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Metagenomics/methods ; *Bacteriophages/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Gills/microbiology/virology/metabolism ; *Bivalvia/microbiology/virology/genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Virome/genetics ; Bacteria/genetics/classification ; Symbiosis/genetics ; Metagenome ; },
abstract = {Viruses are crucial for regulating deep-sea microbial communities and biogeochemical cycles. However, their roles are still less characterized in deep-sea holobionts. Bathymodioline mussels are endemic species inhabiting cold seeps and harboring endosymbionts in gill epithelial cells for nutrition. This study unveiled a diverse array of viruses in the gill tissues of Gigantidas platifrons mussels and analyzed the viral metagenome and transcriptome from the gill tissues of Gigantidas platifrons mussels collected from a cold seep in the South Sea. The mussel gills contained various viruses including Baculoviridae, Rountreeviridae, Myoviridae and Siphovirdae, but the active viromes were Myoviridae, Siphoviridae, and Podoviridae belonging to the order Caudovirales. The overall viral community structure showed significant variation among environments with different methane concentrations. Transcriptome analysis indicated high expression of viral structural genes, integrase, and restriction endonuclease genes in a high methane concentration environment, suggesting frequent virus infection and replication. Furthermore, two viruses (GP-phage-contig14 and GP-phage-contig72) interacted with Gigantidas platifrons methanotrophic gill symbionts (bathymodiolin mussels host intracellular methanotrophic Gammaproteobacteria in their gills), showing high expression levels, and have huge different expression in different methane concentrations. Additionally, single-stranded DNA viruses may play a potential auxiliary role in the virus-host interaction using indirect bioinformatics methods. Moreover, the Cro and DNA methylase genes had phylogenetic similarity between the virus and Gigantidas platifrons methanotrophic gill symbionts. This study also explored a variety of viruses in the gill tissues of Gigantidas platifrons and revealed that bacteria interacted with the viruses during the symbiosis with Gigantidas platifrons. This study provides fundamental insights into the interplay of microorganisms within Gigantidas platifrons mussels in deep sea.},
}

Animals
*Metagenomics/methods
*Bacteriophages/genetics/isolation & purification
*Gills/microbiology/virology/metabolism
*Bivalvia/microbiology/virology/genetics
Gene Expression Profiling
Transcriptome
Virome/genetics
Bacteria/genetics/classification
Symbiosis/genetics
Metagenome

@article {pmid38715450,
year = {2024},
author = {Ali, M and Rice, CA and Byrne, AW and Paré, PE and Beauvais, W},
title = {Modelling dynamics between free-living amoebae and bacteria.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {26},
number = {5},
pages = {e16623},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.16623},
pmid = {38715450},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {NSF-ECCS #2238388//National Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Amoeba/microbiology ; *Bacteria ; *Symbiosis ; Models, Biological ; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena ; Models, Theoretical ; Animals ; },
abstract = {Free-living amoebae (FLA) serve as hosts for a variety of endosymbionts, which are microorganisms that reside and multiply within the FLA. Some of these endosymbionts pose a pathogenic threat to humans, animals, or both. The symbiotic relationship with FLA not only offers these microorganisms protection but also enhances their survival outside their hosts and assists in their dispersal across diverse habitats, thereby escalating disease transmission. This review is intended to offer an exhaustive overview of the existing mathematical models that have been applied to understand the dynamics of FLA, especially concerning their interactions with bacteria. An extensive literature review was conducted across Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus databases to identify mathematical models that describe the dynamics of interactions between FLA and bacteria, as published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The literature search revealed several FLA-bacteria model systems, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pasteurella multocida, and Legionella spp. Although the published mathematical models account for significant system dynamics such as predator-prey relationships and non-linear growth rates, they generally overlook spatial and temporal heterogeneity in environmental conditions, such as temperature, and population diversity. Future mathematical models will need to incorporate these factors to enhance our understanding of FLA-bacteria dynamics and to provide valuable insights for future risk assessment and disease control measures.},
}

*Amoeba/microbiology
*Bacteria
*Symbiosis
Models, Biological
Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
Models, Theoretical
Animals

@article {pmid38712948,
year = {2024},
author = {Maeda, GP and Kelly, MK and Sundar, A and Moran, NA},
title = {Intracellular defensive symbiont is culturable and capable of transovarial, vertical transmission.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0325323},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.03253-23},
pmid = {38712948},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Insects frequently form heritable associations with beneficial bacteria that are vertically transmitted from parent to offspring. Long-term vertical transmission has repeatedly resulted in genome reduction and gene loss, rendering many such bacteria incapable of establishment in axenic culture. Among aphids, heritable endosymbionts often provide context-specific benefits to their hosts. Although these associations have large impacts on host phenotypes, experimental approaches are often limited by an inability to cultivate these microbes. Here, we report the axenic culture of Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica strain WIR, a heritable bacterial endosymbiont of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Whole-genome sequencing revealed similar genomic features and high sequence similarity to previously described strains, suggesting that the cultivation techniques used here may be applicable to Ca. F. symbiotica strains from distantly related aphids. Microinjection of cultured Ca. F. symbiotica into uninfected aphids revealed that it can reinfect developing embryos and that infections are maintained in subsequent generations via transovarial maternal transmission. Artificially infected aphids exhibit phenotypic and life history traits similar to those observed for native infections. Our results show that Ca. F. symbiotica may be a useful tool for experimentally probing the molecular mechanisms underlying host-symbiont interactions in a heritable symbiosis.

IMPORTANCE: Diverse eukaryotic organisms form stable, symbiotic relationships with bacteria that provide benefits to their hosts. While these associations are often biologically important, they can be difficult to probe experimentally because intimately host-associated bacteria are difficult to access within host tissues, and most cannot be cultured. This is especially true for the intracellular, maternally inherited bacteria associated with many insects, including aphids. Here, we demonstrate that a pea aphid-associated strain of the heritable endosymbiont, Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica, can be grown outside of its host using standard microbiology techniques and can readily re-establish infection that is maintained across host generations. These artificial infections recapitulate the effects of native infections, making this host-symbiont pair a useful experimental system.},
}

@article {pmid38707843,
year = {2024},
author = {Moulin, SLY and Frail, S and Braukmann, T and Doenier, J and Steele-Ogus, M and Marks, JC and Mills, MM and Yeh, E},
title = {The endosymbiont of Epithemia clementina is specialized for nitrogen fixation within a photosynthetic eukaryote.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {4},
number = {1},
pages = {ycae055},
pmid = {38707843},
issn = {2730-6151},
abstract = {Epithemia spp. diatoms contain obligate, nitrogen-fixing endosymbionts, or diazoplasts, derived from cyanobacteria. These algae are a rare example of photosynthetic eukaryotes that have successfully coupled oxygenic photosynthesis with oxygen-sensitive nitrogenase activity. Here, we report a newly-isolated species, E. clementina, as a model to investigate endosymbiotic acquisition of nitrogen fixation. We demonstrate that the diazoplast, which has lost photosynthesis, provides fixed nitrogen to the diatom host in exchange for fixed carbon. To identify the metabolic changes associated with this endosymbiotic specialization, we compared the Epithemia diazoplast with its close, free-living cyanobacterial relative, Crocosphaera subtropica. Unlike C. subtropica, in which nitrogenase activity is temporally separated from photosynthesis, we show that nitrogenase activity in the diazoplast is continuous through the day (concurrent with host photosynthesis) and night. Host and diazoplast metabolism are tightly coupled to support nitrogenase activity: Inhibition of photosynthesis abolishes daytime nitrogenase activity, while nighttime nitrogenase activity no longer requires cyanobacterial glycogen storage pathways. Instead, import of host-derived carbohydrates supports nitrogenase activity throughout the day-night cycle. Carbohydrate metabolism is streamlined in the diazoplast compared to C. subtropica with retention of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway and oxidative phosphorylation. Similar to heterocysts, these pathways may be optimized to support nitrogenase activity, providing reducing equivalents and ATP and consuming oxygen. Our results demonstrate that the diazoplast is specialized for endosymbiotic nitrogen fixation. Altogether, we establish a new model for studying endosymbiosis, perform a functional characterization of this diazotroph endosymbiosis, and identify metabolic adaptations for endosymbiotic acquisition of a critical biological function.},
}

@article {pmid38706926,
year = {2024},
author = {Katoch, M and Singh, G and Bijarnia, E and Gupta, AP and Azeem, M and Rani, P and Kumar, J},
title = {Biodiversity of endosymbiont fungi associated with a marine sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea and their potential as antioxidant producers.},
journal = {3 Biotech},
volume = {14},
number = {5},
pages = {146},
pmid = {38706926},
issn = {2190-572X},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: This study aims to isolate endosymbiontic fungi from the marine sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea and to explore their antioxidant potential. Marine-derived fungi, with their vast biodiversity, are considered a promising source of novel antioxidants which can replace synthetic ones. Marine sponges have previously reported bioactive properties that could ameliorate oxidative stress, particularly their associated fungi, producing high-frequency bioactive molecules (adaptogenic molecules) in response to stressors. 19 endosymbiont fungi associated with marine sponges were isolated, and their extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant capacities. Extract of an endosymbiont fungus, isolate SPG6, identified as Alternaria destruens, through surface electron microscopy (SEM) and ITS gene sequencing, showed broad range antioxidant activities (EC50 values) (free radical scavenging 32.54 mg L[-1], Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity < 0.078 g L[-1], total reducing power 0.114 g L[-1], Chelating power 0.262 g L[-1], H2O2 scavenging activity < 0.078 g L[-1], and Superoxide radical scavenging activity > 5.0 g L[-1]). The extract of isolate SPG6 was fractioned and analyzed through GC-MS. Marine sponge-associated endosymbiont fungi are a rich source of antioxidant molecules.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-024-03972-1.},
}

@article {pmid38705185,
year = {2024},
author = {Łukasik, P and Kolasa, MR},
title = {With a little help from my friends: the roles of microbial symbionts in insect populations and communities.},
journal = {Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences},
volume = {379},
number = {1904},
pages = {20230122},
doi = {10.1098/rstb.2023.0122},
pmid = {38705185},
issn = {1471-2970},
mesh = {Animals ; *Insecta/microbiology/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Microbiota/physiology ; Biodiversity ; },
abstract = {To understand insect abundance, distribution and dynamics, we need to understand the relevant drivers of their populations and communities. While microbial symbionts are known to strongly affect many aspects of insect biology, we lack data on their effects on populations or community processes, or on insects' evolutionary responses at different timescales. How these effects change as the anthropogenic effects on ecosystems intensify is an area of intense research. Recent developments in sequencing and bioinformatics permit cost-effective microbial diversity surveys, tracking symbiont transmission, and identification of functions across insect populations and multi-species communities. In this review, we explore how different functional categories of symbionts can influence insect life-history traits, how these effects could affect insect populations and their interactions with other species, and how they may affect processes and patterns at the level of entire communities. We argue that insect-associated microbes should be considered important drivers of insect response and adaptation to environmental challenges and opportunities. We also outline the emerging approaches for surveying and characterizing insect-associated microbiota at population and community scales. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.},
}

Animals
*Insecta/microbiology/physiology
*Symbiosis
*Microbiota/physiology
Biodiversity

@article {pmid38704391,
year = {2024},
author = {Renoz, F and Parisot, N and Baa-Puyoulet, P and Gerlin, L and Fakhour, S and Charles, H and Hance, T and Calevro, F},
title = {PacBio Hi-Fi genome assembly of Sipha maydis, a model for the study of multipartite mutualism in insects.},
journal = {Scientific data},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {450},
pmid = {38704391},
issn = {2052-4463},
support = {J.0082.23//Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS (Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research)/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Aphids/genetics ; *Genome, Bacterial ; },
abstract = {Dependence on multiple nutritional endosymbionts has evolved repeatedly in insects feeding on unbalanced diets. However, reference genomes for species hosting multi-symbiotic nutritional systems are lacking, even though they are essential for deciphering the processes governing cooperative life between insects and anatomically integrated symbionts. The cereal aphid Sipha maydis is a promising model for addressing these issues, as it has evolved a nutritional dependence on two bacterial endosymbionts that complement each other. In this study, we used PacBio High fidelity (HiFi) long-read sequencing to generate a highly contiguous genome assembly of S. maydis with a length of 410 Mb, 3,570 contigs with a contig N50 length of 187 kb, and BUSCO completeness of 95.5%. We identified 117 Mb of repetitive sequences, accounting for 29% of the genome assembly, and predicted 24,453 protein-coding genes, of which 2,541 were predicted enzymes included in an integrated metabolic network with the two aphid-associated endosymbionts. These resources provide valuable genetic and metabolic information for understanding the evolution and functioning of multi-symbiotic systems in insects.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Aphids/genetics
*Genome, Bacterial

@article {pmid38701242,
year = {2024},
author = {Roldán, EL and Stelinski, LL and Pelz-Stelinski, KS},
title = {Reduction of Wolbachia in Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) increases phytopathogen acquisition and decreases fitness.},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toae089},
pmid = {38701242},
issn = {1938-291X},
support = {2021-70029-36053//United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; },
abstract = {Wolbachia pipientis is a maternally inherited intracellular bacterium that infects a wide range of arthropods. Wolbachia can have a significant impact on host biology and development, often due to its effects on reproduction. We investigated Wolbachia-mediated effects in the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, which transmits Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the causal agent of citrus greening disease. Diaphorina citri are naturally infected with Wolbachia; therefore, investigating Wolbachia-mediated effects on D. citri fitness and CLas transmission required artificial reduction of this endosymbiont with the application of doxycycline. Doxycycline treatment of psyllids reduced Wolbachia infection by approximately 60% in both male and female D. citri. Psyllids treated with doxycycline exhibited higher CLas acquisition in both adults and nymphs as compared with negative controls. In addition, doxycycline-treated psyllids exhibited decreased fitness as measured by reduced egg and nymph production as well as adult emergence as compared with control lines without the doxycycline treatment. Our results indicate that Wolbachia benefits D. citri by improving fitness and potentially competes with CLas by interfering with phytopathogen acquisition. Targeted manipulation of endosymbionts in this phytopathogen vector may yield disease management tools.},
}

@article {pmid38693183,
year = {2024},
author = {Moustafa, MAM and Mohamed, WMA and Chatanga, E and Nagib, D and Matsuno, K and Gofton, AW and Barker, SC and Nonaka, N and Nakao, R},
title = {Unraveling the phylogenetics of genetically closely related species, Haemaphysalis japonica and Haemaphysalis megaspinosa, using entire tick mitogenomes and microbiomes.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {9961},
pmid = {38693183},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {16H06431//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 19H03118//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 19F19097//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 20K21358//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; 20KK0151//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Phylogeny ; *Ixodidae/microbiology/genetics ; *Microbiota/genetics ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; Genetic Variation ; },
abstract = {Ticks have a profound impact on public health. Haemaphysalis is one of the most widespread genera in Asia, including Japan. The taxonomy and genetic differentiation of Haemaphysalis spp. is challenging. For instance, previous studies struggled to distinguish Haemaphysalis japonica and Haemaphysalis megaspinosa due to the dearth of nucleotide sequence polymorphisms in widely used barcoding genes. The classification of H. japonica japonica and its related sub-species Haemaphysalis japonica douglasi or Haemaphysalis jezoensis is also confused due to their high morphological similarity and a lack of molecular data that support the current classification. We used mitogenomes and microbiomes of H. japonica and H. megaspinosa to gain deeper insights into the phylogenetic relationships and genetic divergence between two species. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated nucleotide sequences of protein-coding genes and ribosomal DNA genes distinguished H. japonica and H. megaspinosa as monophyletic clades, with further subdivision within the H. japonica clade. The 16S rRNA and NAD5 genes were valuable markers for distinguishing H. japonica and H. megaspinosa. Population genetic structure analyses indicated that genetic variation within populations accounted for a large proportion of the total variation compared to variation between populations. Microbiome analyses revealed differences in alpha and beta diversity between H. japonica and H. megaspinosa: H. japonica had the higher diversity. Coxiella sp., a likely endosymbiont, was found in both Haemaphysalis species. The abundance profiles of likely endosymbionts, pathogens, and commensals differed between H. japonica and H. megaspinosa: H. megaspinosa was more diverse.},
}

Animals
*Phylogeny
*Ixodidae/microbiology/genetics
*Microbiota/genetics
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Genome, Mitochondrial
Genetic Variation

@article {pmid38691425,
year = {2024},
author = {Richter, I and Hasan, M and Kramer, JW and Wein, P and Krabbe, J and Woitas, KP and Stinear, TP and Pidot, SJ and Kloss, F and Hertweck, C and Lackner, G},
title = {Deazaflavin metabolite produced by endosymbiotic bacteria controls fungal host reproduction.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wrae074},
pmid = {38691425},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {The endosymbiosis between the pathogenic fungus Rhizopus microsporus and the toxin-producing bacterium Mycetohabitans rhizoxinica represents a unique example of host control by an endosymbiont. Fungal sporulation strictly depends on the presence of endosymbionts as well as bacterially produced secondary metabolites. However, an influence of primary metabolites on host control remained unexplored. Recently, we discovered that M. rhizoxinica produces FO and 3PG-F420, a derivative of the specialized redox cofactor F420. Whether FO/3PG-F420 plays a role in the symbiosis has yet to be investigated. Here, we report that FO, the precursor of 3PG-F420, is essential to the establishment of a stable symbiosis. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the genetic inventory to produce cofactor 3PG-F420 is conserved in the genomes of eight endofungal Mycetohabitans strains. By developing a CRISPR/Cas-assisted base editing strategy for M. rhizoxinica, we generated mutant strains deficient in 3PG-F420 (M. rhizoxinica ΔcofC) and in both FO and 3PG-F420 (M. rhizoxinica ΔfbiC). Co-culture experiments demonstrated that the sporulating phenotype of apo-symbiotic R. microsporus is maintained upon reinfection with wild-type M. rhizoxinica or M. rhizoxinica ΔcofC. In contrast, R. microsporus is unable to sporulate when co-cultivated with M. rhizoxinica ΔfbiC, even though the fungus was observed by super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to be successfully colonized. Genetic and chemical complementation of the FO deficiency of M. rhizoxinica ΔfbiC led to restoration of fungal sporulation, signifying that FO is indispensable for establishing a functional symbiosis. Even though FO is known for its light-harvesting properties, our data illustrate an important role of FO in inter-kingdom communication.},
}

@article {pmid38690786,
year = {2024},
author = {Knights, HE and Ramachandran, VK and Jorrin, B and Ledermann, R and Parsons, JD and Aroney, STN and Poole, PS},
title = {Rhizobium determinants of rhizosphere persistence and root colonisation.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wrae072},
pmid = {38690786},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {Bacterial persistence in the rhizosphere and colonisation of root niches are critical for the establishment of many beneficial plant-bacteria interactions including those between Rhizobium leguminosarum and its host legumes. Despite this, most studies on R. leguminosarum have focused on its symbiotic lifestyle as an endosymbiont in root nodules. Here, we use random barcode transposon sequencing (RB-TnSeq) to assay gene contributions of R. leguminosarum during competitive growth in the rhizosphere and colonisation of various plant species. This facilitated the identification of 189 genes commonly required for growth in diverse plant rhizospheres, mutation of 111 of which also affected subsequent root colonisation (rhizosphere progressive), and a further 119 genes necessary for colonisation. Common determinants reveal a need to synthesise essential compounds (amino acids, ribonucleotides, and cofactors), adapt metabolic function, respond to external stimuli, and withstand various stresses (such as changes in osmolarity). Additionally, chemotaxis and flagella-mediated motility are prerequisites for root colonisation. Many genes showed plant-specific dependencies highlighting significant adaptation to different plant species. This work provides a greater understanding of factors promoting rhizosphere fitness and root colonisation in plant-beneficial bacteria, facilitating their exploitation for agricultural benefit.},
}

@article {pmid38677361,
year = {2024},
author = {Tuñon, A and García, J and Carrera, LC and Chaves, LF and Lenhart, AE and Loaiza, JR},
title = {Chemical control of medically important arthropods in Panama: A systematic literature review of historical efforts.},
journal = {Acta tropica},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {107217},
doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107217},
pmid = {38677361},
issn = {1873-6254},
abstract = {Vector-borne diseases are a major source of morbidity in Panama. Herein, we describe historical usage patterns of synthetic insecticides to control arthropod disease vectors in this country. We examine the influence of interventions by vector control programs on the emergence of insecticide resistance. Chemical control has traditionally focused on two mosquito species: Anopheles albimanus, a major regional malaria vector, and Aedes aegypti, a historical vector of yellow fever, and current vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Countrywide populations of An. albimanus depict hyperirritability to organochlorine insecticides administered by indoor residual spraying, although they appear susceptible to these insecticides in bioassays settings, as well as to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in field tests. Populations of Ae. aegypti show resistance to pyrethroids, particularly in areas near Panama City, but the spread of resistance remains unknown in Ae. aegypti and Aedes albopictus. A One Health approach is needed in Panama to pinpoint the insecticide resistance mechanisms including the frequency of knockdown mutations and behavioral plasticity in populations of Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes. This information is necessary to guide the sustainable implementation of chemical control strategies and the use of modern vector control technologies such as genetically modified mosquitoes, and endosymbiont Wolbachia-based biological control.},
}

@article {pmid38673813,
year = {2024},
author = {Silva, FJ and Domínguez-Santos, R and Latorre, A and García-Ferris, C},
title = {Comparative Transcriptomics of Fat Bodies between Symbiotic and Quasi-Aposymbiotic Adult Females of Blattella germanica with Emphasis on the Metabolic Integration with Its Endosymbiont Blattabacterium and Its Immune System.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {25},
number = {8},
pages = {},
pmid = {38673813},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {Prometeo/2018/A/133//Conselleria d'Educació, Generalitat Valenciana (Spain)/ ; CIPROM/2021/042//Conselleria d'Educació, Generalitat Valenciana (Spain)/ ; PGC2018-099344-B-I00//MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Spain) and "ERDF A way of making Europe"/ ; PID2021-128201NB-I00//MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Spain) and "ERDF A way of making Europe"/ ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis/genetics ; Animals ; *Fat Body/metabolism ; Female ; *Transcriptome ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Immune System/metabolism ; Bacteroidetes/genetics/metabolism ; Antimicrobial Peptides/metabolism/genetics ; },
abstract = {We explored the metabolic integration of Blattella germanica and its obligate endosymbiont Blattabacterium cuenoti by the transcriptomic analysis of the fat body of quasi-aposymbiotic cockroaches, where the endosymbionts were almost entirely removed with rifampicin. Fat bodies from quasi-aposymbiotic insects displayed large differences in gene expression compared to controls. In quasi-aposymbionts, the metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine involved in cuticle sclerotization and pigmentation increased drastically to compensate for the deficiency in the biosynthesis of these amino acids by the endosymbionts. On the other hand, the uricolytic pathway and the biosynthesis of uric acid were severely decreased, probably because the reduced population of endosymbionts was unable to metabolize urea to ammonia. Metabolite transporters that could be involved in the endosymbiosis process were identified. Immune system and antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene expression was also reduced in quasi-aposymbionts, genes encoding peptidoglycan-recognition proteins, which may provide clues for the maintenance of the symbiotic relationship, as well as three AMP genes whose involvement in the symbiotic relationship will require additional analysis. Finally, a search for AMP-like factors that could be involved in controlling the endosymbiont identified two orphan genes encoding proteins smaller than 200 amino acids underexpressed in quasi-aposymbionts, suggesting a role in the host-endosymbiont relationship.},
}

*Symbiosis/genetics
Animals
*Fat Body/metabolism
Female
*Transcriptome
Gene Expression Profiling
Immune System/metabolism
Bacteroidetes/genetics/metabolism
Antimicrobial Peptides/metabolism/genetics

@article {pmid38668783,
year = {2024},
author = {Shamjana, U and Vasu, DA and Hembrom, PS and Nayak, K and Grace, T},
title = {The role of insect gut microbiota in host fitness, detoxification and nutrient supplementation.},
journal = {Antonie van Leeuwenhoek},
volume = {117},
number = {1},
pages = {71},
pmid = {38668783},
issn = {1572-9699},
mesh = {Animals ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology ; *Insecta/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; Nutrients/metabolism ; Metagenomics ; Host Microbial Interactions ; Inactivation, Metabolic ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Insects are incredibly diverse, ubiquitous and have successfully flourished out of the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of evolutionary processes. The resident microbiome has accompanied the physical and biological adaptations that enable their continued survival and proliferation in a wide array of environments. The host insect and microbiome's bidirectional relationship exhibits their capability to influence each other's physiology, behavior and characteristics. Insects are reported to rely directly on the microbial community to break down complex food, adapt to nutrient-deficit environments, protect themselves from natural adversaries and control the expression of social behavior. High-throughput metagenomic approaches have enhanced the potential for determining the abundance, composition, diversity and functional activities of microbial fauna associated with insect hosts, enabling in-depth investigation into insect-microbe interactions. We undertook a review of some of the major advances in the field of metagenomics, focusing on insect-microbe interaction, diversity and composition of resident microbiota, the functional capability of endosymbionts and discussions on different symbiotic relationships. The review aims to be a valuable resource on insect gut symbiotic microbiota by providing a comprehensive understanding of how insect gut symbionts systematically perform a range of functions, viz., insecticide degradation, nutritional support and immune fitness. A thorough understanding of manipulating specific gut symbionts may aid in developing advanced insect-associated research to attain health and design strategies for pest management.},
}

Animals
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology
*Insecta/microbiology
*Symbiosis
Nutrients/metabolism
Metagenomics
Host Microbial Interactions
Inactivation, Metabolic
Bacteria/classification/genetics/metabolism

@article {pmid38661136,
year = {2024},
author = {Work, TM and Singhakarn, C and Weatherby, TM},
title = {Cytology in cnidaria using Exaiptasia as a model.},
journal = {Diseases of aquatic organisms},
volume = {158},
number = {},
pages = {37-53},
doi = {10.3354/dao03781},
pmid = {38661136},
issn = {0177-5103},
mesh = {Animals ; *Cnidaria ; Cytology ; },
abstract = {A need exists for additional methods to examine cnidaria at the cellular level to aid our understanding of health, anatomy, and physiology of this important group of organisms. This need is particularly acute given that disease is emerging as a major factor in declines of ecologically important functional groups such as corals. Here we describe a simple method to process cnidarian cells for microscopic examination using the model organism Exaiptasia. We show that this organism has at least 18 cell types or structures that can be readily distinguished based on defined morphological features. Some of these cells can be related back to anatomic features of the animal both at the light microscope and ultrastructural level. The cnidome of Exaiptasia may be more complex than what is currently understood. Moreover, cnidarian cells, including some types of cnidocytes, phagocytize cells other than endosymbionts. Finally, our findings shed light on morphologic complexity of cell-associated microbial aggregates and their intimate intracellular associations. The tools described here could be useful for other cnidaria.},
}

Animals
*Cnidaria
Cytology

@article {pmid38650243,
year = {2021},
author = {Zhang, J and Liu, G and Carvajal, AI and Wilson, RH and Cai, Z and Li, Y},
title = {Discovery of a readily heterologously expressed Rubisco from the deep sea with potential for CO2 capture.},
journal = {Bioresources and bioprocessing},
volume = {8},
number = {1},
pages = {86},
pmid = {38650243},
issn = {2197-4365},
support = {2150060111//the National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), the key CO2-fixing enzyme in photosynthesis, is notorious for its low carboxylation. We report a highly active and assembly-competent Form II Rubisco from the endosymbiont of a deep-sea tubeworm Riftia pachyptila (RPE Rubisco), which shows a 50.5% higher carboxylation efficiency than that of a high functioning Rubisco from Synechococcus sp. PCC7002 (7002 Rubisco). It is a simpler hexamer with three pairs of large subunit homodimers around a central threefold symmetry axis. Compared with 7002 Rubisco, it showed a 3.6-fold higher carbon capture efficiency in vivo using a designed CO2 capture model. The simple structure, high carboxylation efficiency, easy heterologous soluble expression/assembly make RPE Rubisco a ready-to-deploy enzyme for CO2 capture that does not require complex co-expression of chaperones. The chemosynthetic CO2 fixation machinery of chemolithoautotrophs, CO2-fixing endosymbionts, may be more efficient than previously realized with great potential for next-generation microbial CO2 sequestration platforms.},
}