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Updated: May 6, 2026

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Genomic insights into Spiroplasma endosymbionts that induce male-killing and protective phenotypes in the pea aphid

Hiroshi Arai1, Fabrice Legeai2, Daisuke Kageyama1

  • 1Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 1-2 Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0851, Japan.

FEMS Microbiology Letters
|April 17, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Male-killing Spiroplasma bacteria, like Spiroplasma ixodetis, impact insect development. This study sequenced the S. ixodetis genome, revealing unique virulence factors and suggesting independent evolution of male-killing traits.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Insect Pathology

Background:

  • Spiroplasma are endosymbiotic bacteria infecting plants and arthropods.
  • Some Spiroplasma strains induce male killing, a phenomenon where male hosts die during development.
  • Male-killing Spiroplasma belong to Citri-Poulsonii or Ixodetis groups; S. poulsonii uses Spaid toxin in Drosophila, but S. ixodetis mechanisms are unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the genome of Spiroplasma ixodetis strains in pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum).
  • To investigate the genetic basis of male killing induced by S. ixodetis.
  • To understand the phylogenetic associations and virulence factor diversity of S. ixodetis in pea aphids.

Main Methods:

  • Genome sequencing of a male-killing S. ixodetis strain (sAp269) from pea aphids.
  • Comparative genomics of S. ixodetis strains from different pea aphid biotypes.
  • Analysis of putative virulence factors encoded by the S. ixodetis genome.

Main Results:

  • A complete genome of the male-killing strain sAp269 was assembled (1.5 Mb chromosome, 80 Kb plasmid).
  • The sAp269 genome encodes putative virulence factors (ankyrin repeat, ovarian tumor-like deubiquitinase, ribosome inactivating protein domains) but lacks the Spaid toxin.
  • Comparative genomics revealed phylogenetic diversity and varied putative virulence factors among S. ixodetis strains in pea aphids.

Conclusions:

  • The genetic basis for S. ixodetis-induced male killing in pea aphids remains unclear.
  • S. ixodetis exhibits dynamic genome evolution.
  • This study suggests independent acquisition of male-killing mechanisms across different insect groups.
Keywords:
Spiroplasma ixodetisRIPaphidsspaidsymbiosistoxin

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