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Characterization of some new insect-derived acholeplasmas
J G Tully1, D L Rose, R F Whitcomb
1Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD 21701.
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences
|June 1, 1987
Summary
Insect-associated Mollicutes, including sterol-nonrequiring and sterol-requiring types, show distinct serological profiles and ecological roles. Insects serve as a significant reservoir for these microorganisms.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Insect Pathology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Mollicutes are a diverse group of bacteria lacking cell walls, commonly found in various hosts.
- Acholeplasma species are typically sterol-nonrequiring and found in insects and other environments.
- Nonhelical Mollicutes, including spiroplasmas, have been isolated from insects, but their diversity and ecological roles require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize sterol-nonrequiring and sterol-requiring Mollicutes isolated from insects.
- To determine the serological relationships of insect-derived Mollicutes with known Acholeplasma species.
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of nonhelical Mollicutes in a wide range of insect hosts.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and cultivation of Mollicutes from insect gut fluids and hemolymph.
- Serological testing using reference antisera.
- Determination of DNA G+C content and genome size for selected strains.
- Growth studies in serum-free media with and without Tween 80.
- Monitoring of morphological changes (helical vs. nonhelical) during cultivation.
Main Results:
- Three sterol-nonrequiring Mollicutes (PS-1, TAC, YJS) from insect guts were similar to Acholeplasma but serologically distinct from vertebrate acholeplasmas.
- Strain PS-1 had a DNA G+C content of 31 mol% and a genome size of 1,030 MDa, with optimal growth between 23-30°C.
- Of 32 new nonhelical insect isolates, 25 grew in serum-free broth; 10 were unidentified acholeplasmas, 2 related to A. florum, and 13 identical to TAC.
- Seven isolates were sterol-requiring; one (ELCN-1) from a firefly hemolymph, marking the first report of nonhelical Mollicutes in the insect hemocoel.
- Two sterol-requiring isolates reverted from nonhelical to helical forms.
Conclusions:
- Insects harbor a diverse range of Mollicutes, including acholeplasmas and potentially other sterol-nonrequiring and sterol-requiring species.
- Insect-derived acholeplasmas are serologically distinct from those found in vertebrates.
- Insects represent a significant reservoir for both acholeplasmas and mycoplasmas, highlighting their ecological importance.