Wolbachia prophage DNA adenine methyltransferase genes in different Drosophila-Wolbachia associations
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Wolbachia Bacterial Infection in Drosophila
Published on: February 25, 2007
Aggeliki Saridaki1, Panagiotis Sapountzis, Harriet L Harris
1Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Ioannina, Agrinio, Greece.
Abstract:
Wolbachia is an obligatory intracellular bacterium which often manipulates the reproduction of its insect and isopod hosts. In contrast, Wolbachia is an essential symbiont in filarial nematodes. Lately, Wolbachia has been implicated in genomic imprinting of host DNA through cytosine methylation. The importance of DNA methylation in cell fate and biology calls for in depth studying of putative methylation-related genes. We present a molecular and phylogenetic analysis of a putative DNA adenine methyltransferase encoded by a prophage in the Wolbachia genome. Two slightly different copies of the gene, met1 and met2, exhibit a different distribution over various Wolbachia strains. The met2 gene is present in the majority of strains, in wAu, however, it contains a frameshift caused by a 2 bp deletion. Phylogenetic analysis of the met2 DNA sequences suggests a long association of the gene with the Wolbachia host strains. In addition, our analysis provides evidence for previously unnoticed multiple infections, the detection of which is critical for the molecular elucidation of modification and/or rescue mechanism of cytoplasmic incompatibility.
Insights
This study analyzes a DNA adenine methyltransferase gene in Wolbachia, revealing its presence and variations across strains. Understanding these methylation-related genes is crucial for studying Wolbachia
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Molecular Biology
- Genetics and Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Wolbachia, an intracellular bacterium, manipulates host reproduction and is essential for filarial nematodes.
- Recent findings implicate Wolbachia in host DNA methylation, highlighting the need to study related genes.
- DNA methylation is critical for cellular fate and biological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a molecular and phylogenetic analysis of a putative DNA adenine methyltransferase gene in Wolbachia.
- To investigate the distribution and variations of this gene across different Wolbachia strains.
- To explore the evolutionary association of this gene with Wolbachia host strains.
Main Methods:
- Molecular analysis of the DNA adenine methyltransferase gene (met1 and met2) in Wolbachia genomes.
- Phylogenetic analysis of met2 DNA sequences.
- Examination of gene distribution across various Wolbachia strains, including identification of frameshifts.
Main Results:
- Two gene variants, met1 and met2, were identified with distinct distributions among Wolbachia strains.
- The met2 gene is widespread but contains a frameshift mutation in the wAu strain due to a 2 bp deletion.
- Phylogenetic analysis indicates a long-standing association between the met2 gene and its Wolbachia host strains.
- Evidence for previously undetected multiple Wolbachia infections was found.
Conclusions:
- The identified DNA adenine methyltransferase genes (met1 and met2) are important targets for studying Wolbachia's role in DNA methylation.
- The variations and distribution of these genes suggest co-evolution with host strains.
- Accurate detection of multiple Wolbachia infections is vital for understanding mechanisms like cytoplasmic incompatibility.
Related Concept Videos
02:32Exon Recombination
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
02:32Position-effect Variegation