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Maintaining Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Infected with Wolbachia
Published on: August 14, 2017
Expression of the Wolbachia male-killing factor Oscar impairs dosage compensation in lepidopteran embryos
Takahiro Fukui1, Takashi Kiuchi1, Kenta Tomihara1
1Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan.
Abstract:
Wolbachia are intracellular bacteria in insects that can manipulate the sexual development and reproduction by male killing or other methods. We have recently identified a Wolbachia protein named Oscar that acts as a male-killing factor for lepidopteran insects. Oscar interacts with the Masculinizer (Masc) protein, which is required for both masculinization and dosage compensation (DC) in lepidopteran insects. Embryonic expression of Oscar inhibits masculinization and causes male killing in two lepidopteran species, Ostrinia furnacalis and Bombyx mori. However, it remains unknown whether Oscar-induced male killing is caused by a failure of DC. Here, we performed a transcriptome analysis of Oscar complementary RNA-injected O. furnacalis and B. mori embryos, and found that Oscar primarily targets the Masc protein, resulting in male killing by interfering with DC in lepidopteran insects.
Insights
Wolbachia bacteria
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Insect Biology
Background:
- Wolbachia are intracellular bacteria that manipulate insect reproduction.
- A Wolbachia protein, Oscar, has been identified as a male-killing factor in lepidopteran insects.
- Oscar interacts with the Masculinizer (Masc) protein, essential for masculinization and dosage compensation (DC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of Oscar-induced male killing in lepidopteran insects.
- To determine if Oscar-induced male killing is linked to a failure in dosage compensation (DC).
Main Methods:
- Transcriptome analysis was performed on embryos injected with Oscar complementary RNA.
- The study focused on two lepidopteran species: Ostrinia furnacalis and Bombyx mori.
Main Results:
- Oscar expression inhibits masculinization and leads to male killing in O. furnacalis and B. mori.
- Transcriptome data revealed Oscar primarily targets the Masc protein.
- Oscar interferes with dosage compensation (DC) in lepidopteran insects.
Conclusions:
- Oscar-induced male killing in lepidopteran insects is mediated by interference with the Masc protein.
- This interference disrupts dosage compensation (DC), leading to male death.
