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Male-killing mechanisms vary between Spiroplasma species

Hiroshi Arai1,2, Maki N Inoue1, Daisuke Kageyama2

  • 1United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|December 15, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Male-killing Spiroplasma ixodetis in moths differs from Spiroplasma poulsonii in flies. This study reveals unique genetic and distribution characteristics of S. ixodetis, suggesting distinct male-killing mechanisms and origins.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Insect Pathology

Background:

  • Male-killing is a specific death of male arthropods during development, caused by Spiroplasma endosymbionts.
  • Spiroplasma poulsonii in Drosophila uses the Spaid toxin, but the mechanism for Spiroplasma ixodetis is poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the genome and biological traits of a male-killing Spiroplasma ixodetis strain (sHm) in the moth Homona magnanima.
  • To investigate the genetic basis and distribution of male-killing induced by S. ixodetis.

Main Methods:

  • Genome sequencing and analysis of S. ixodetis strain sHm.
  • Quantitative PCR to determine bacterial distribution within the host.
  • Transinfection assays using cultured insect cells.

Main Results:

  • S. ixodetis strain sHm possesses a 2.1 Mb chromosome and plasmids encoding Type IV effectors, lacking the spaid gene but containing 10 ankyrin genes.
  • Strain sHm showed systemic distribution in H. magnanima, with high titers in Malpighian tubules and low titers in hemolymph.
  • Transinfection assays demonstrated that sHm can infect cells from distantly related insects (Aedes albopictus and Bombyx mori).

Conclusions:

  • Spiroplasma ixodetis exhibits different genetic makeup and host distribution compared to Spiroplasma poulsonii.
  • The findings suggest distinct evolutionary origins and mechanisms for male-killing induced by these Spiroplasma groups.
Keywords:
Homona magnanimaSpiroplasmaendosymbiontsevolutionmale-killingspaidsymbiosis

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