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Insects recycle endosymbionts when the benefit is over
Aurélien Vigneron1, Florent Masson1, Agnès Vallier1
1Biologie Fonctionnelle Insectes et Interactions, UMR203 BF2I, INRA, INSA-Lyon, Université de Lyon, 69621 Villeurbanne, France.
Current Biology : CB
|September 23, 2014
Summary
Insects utilize symbiotic bacteria for essential nutrients, with endosymbiont populations peaking in young adults to aid exoskeleton formation. This symbiont load is then reduced via apoptosis and autophagy after critical development.
Area of Science:
- Symbiotic associations
- Evolutionary biology
- Insect physiology
Background:
- Mutualistic endosymbionts provide essential nutrients to insects on poor diets.
- Endosymbionts reside in specialized bacteriocytes and are vertically transmitted.
- The regulation of symbiont load relative to host needs is poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how cereal weevils (Sitophilus) manage their endosymbiont (Sodalis pierantonius) populations.
- To understand the balance between the costs and benefits of endosymbiosis.
- To explore the adjustment of symbiont load to host physiological requirements.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the Sitophilus-Sodalis pierantonius symbiotic association.
- Monitored endosymbiont population dynamics in young adult weevils.
- Analyzed host physiological needs and cellular mechanisms for symbiont elimination.
Main Results:
- Endosymbiont populations proliferate in young adults.
- Symbiont proliferation coincides with a high host demand for tyrosine and phenylalanine for exoskeleton synthesis.
- Endosymbiont elimination is triggered by high levels of dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and involves apoptosis and autophagy.
Conclusions:
- The weevil-endosymbiont relationship demonstrates a dynamic regulation of symbiont populations.
- This adaptive strategy minimizes symbiosis costs and supports rapid exoskeleton formation.
- Cellular processes like apoptosis and autophagy are crucial for managing endosymbiont loads.
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