Miguel Medina Munoz1, Caitlyn Brenner2, Dylan Richmond1, Noah Spencer1, Rita V M Rio3. 1. Department of Biology, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA. 2. Department of Biology, Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, PA, 15301, USA. 3. Department of Biology, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA. rita.rio@mail.wvu.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tsetse flies are the obligate vectors of African trypanosomes, which cause Human and Animal African Trypanosomiasis. Teneral flies (newly eclosed adults) are especially susceptible to parasite establishment and development, yet our understanding of why remains fragmentary. The tsetse gut microbiome is dominated by two Gammaproteobacteria, an essential and ancient mutualist Wigglesworthia glossinidia and a commensal Sodalis glossinidius. Here, we characterize and compare the metatranscriptome of teneral Glossina morsitans to that of G. brevipalpis and describe unique immunological, physiological, and metabolic landscapes that may impact vector competence differences between these two species. RESULTS: An active expression profile was observed for Wigglesworthia immediately following host adult metamorphosis. Specifically, 'translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis' followed by 'coenzyme transport and metabolism' were the most enriched clusters of orthologous genes (COGs), highlighting the importance of nutrient transport and metabolism even following host species diversification. Despite the significantly smaller Wigglesworthia genome more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between interspecific isolates (n = 326, ~ 55% of protein coding genes) than between the corresponding Sodalis isolates (n = 235, ~ 5% of protein coding genes) likely reflecting distinctions in host co-evolution and adaptation. DEGs between Sodalis isolates included genes involved in chitin degradation that may contribute towards trypanosome susceptibility by compromising the immunological protection provided by the peritrophic matrix. Lastly, G. brevipalpis tenerals demonstrate a more immunologically robust background with significant upregulation of IMD and melanization pathways. CONCLUSIONS: These transcriptomic differences may collectively contribute to vector competence differences between tsetse species and offers translational relevance towards the design of novel vector control strategies.
BACKGROUND:Tsetse flies are the obligate vectors of African trypanosomes, which cause Human and Animal African Trypanosomiasis. Teneral flies (newly eclosed adults) are especially susceptible to parasite establishment and development, yet our understanding of why remains fragmentary. The tsetse gut microbiome is dominated by two Gammaproteobacteria, an essential and ancient mutualist Wigglesworthia glossinidia and a commensal Sodalis glossinidius. Here, we characterize and compare the metatranscriptome of teneral Glossina morsitans to that of G. brevipalpis and describe unique immunological, physiological, and metabolic landscapes that may impact vector competence differences between these two species. RESULTS: An active expression profile was observed for Wigglesworthia immediately following host adult metamorphosis. Specifically, 'translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis' followed by 'coenzyme transport and metabolism' were the most enriched clusters of orthologous genes (COGs), highlighting the importance of nutrient transport and metabolism even following host species diversification. Despite the significantly smaller Wigglesworthia genome more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between interspecific isolates (n = 326, ~ 55% of protein coding genes) than between the corresponding Sodalis isolates (n = 235, ~ 5% of protein coding genes) likely reflecting distinctions in host co-evolution and adaptation. DEGs between Sodalis isolates included genes involved in chitin degradation that may contribute towards trypanosome susceptibility by compromising the immunological protection provided by the peritrophic matrix. Lastly, G. brevipalpis tenerals demonstrate a more immunologically robust background with significant upregulation of IMD and melanization pathways. CONCLUSIONS: These transcriptomic differences may collectively contribute to vector competence differences between tsetse species and offers translational relevance towards the design of novel vector control strategies.
Authors: Emre Aksoy; Erich L Telleria; Richard Echodu; Yineng Wu; Loyce M Okedi; Brian L Weiss; Serap Aksoy; Adalgisa Caccone Journal: Appl Environ Microbiol Date: 2014-05-09 Impact factor: 4.792
Authors: Pere P Simarro; Giuliano Cecchi; José R Franco; Massimo Paone; Abdoulaye Diarra; José Antonio Ruiz-Postigo; Eric M Fèvre; Raffaele C Mattioli; Jean G Jannin Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2012-10-25