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Detection and characterization of Wolbachia infection in silkworm
Xingfu Zha1, Wenji Zhang1, Chunyan Zhou1
1State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology , College of Biotechnology , Southwest University, Chongqing , P.R. China .
Abstract:
Wolbachia naturally infects a wide variety of arthropods, where it plays important roles in host reproduction. It was previously reported that Wolbachia did not infect silkworm. By means of PCR and sequencing we found in this study that Wolbachia is indeed present in silkworm. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Wolbachia infection in silkworm may have occurred via transfer from parasitic wasps. Furthermore, Southern blotting results suggest a lateral transfer of the wsp gene into the genomes of some wild silkworms. By antibiotic treatments, we found that tetracycline and ciprofloxacin can eliminate Wolbachia in the silkworm and Wolbachia is important to ovary development of silkworm. These results provide clues towards a more comprehensive understanding of the interaction between Wolbachia and silkworm and possibly other lepidopteran insects.
Insights
This study confirms Wolbachia bacteria infect silkworms, a finding previously thought impossible. Wolbachia is crucial for silkworm ovary development and may have transferred from wasps.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Entomology
Background:
- Wolbachia are intracellular bacteria known to infect many arthropods, influencing host reproduction.
- Previous research indicated silkworms (Bombyx mori) were not susceptible to Wolbachia infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and impact of Wolbachia infection in silkworms.
- To elucidate the origin and genetic characteristics of Wolbachia in silkworms.
- To determine the role of Wolbachia in silkworm reproductive development.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing to detect Wolbachia.
- Phylogenetic analysis to infer the origin of infection.
- Southern blotting to assess gene transfer.
- Antibiotic treatment (tetracycline, ciprofloxacin) to eliminate Wolbachia.
Main Results:
- Wolbachia was detected in silkworms using PCR and sequencing, contradicting prior reports.
- Phylogenetic analysis suggests a potential transfer from parasitic wasps.
- Evidence of lateral gene transfer of the wsp gene into wild silkworm genomes was found.
- Antibiotic treatments successfully eliminated Wolbachia, indicating its susceptibility.
- Wolbachia was found to be essential for normal ovary development in silkworms.
Conclusions:
- Wolbachia infection is confirmed in silkworms, challenging previous assumptions.
- The findings suggest horizontal gene transfer events and a parasitic wasp origin for the infection.
- Wolbachia plays a significant role in silkworm reproduction, particularly ovary development.
- This research provides a foundation for understanding Wolbachia-lepidopteran interactions.
