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Comparative analysis of the intestinal flora of BmNPV-resistant and BmNPV-sensitive silkworm varieties
Xu Yang1, Pai Liu1, Haodong Yu1
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural and Animal Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China.
Abstract:
Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is a very common and infectious virus that affects silkworms and hinders silk production. To investigate the intestinal flora of BmNPV-resistant and BmNPV-sensitive silkworm varieties, 16 S rDNA high-throughput sequencing was performed. The results of the cluster analysis showed that the intestinal flora of the resistant silkworm variety was more abundant than that of the sensitive silkworm variety. This was found even when infection with BmNPV caused a sharp decline in the number of intestinal floral species in both resistant and sensitive silkworm varieties. The abundances of the intestinal flora, including Aureimonas, Ileibacterium, Peptostreptococcus, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, and Halomonas, in the resistant variety were considerably greater after infection with BmNPV than those in the sensitive variety. After infection with BmNPV, four kinds of important intestinal bacteria, namely, f_Saccharimonadaceae, Peptostreptococcus, Aureirmonas, and f_Rhizobiaceae, were found in the resistant silkworm variety. In the sensitive silkworm variety, only Faecalibaculum was an important intestinal bacterium. The differential or important bacteria mentioned above might be involved in immunoreaction or antiviral activities, especially in the intestines of BmNPV-resistant silkworms. By conducting a functional enrichment analysis, we found that BmNPV infection did not change the abundance of important functional components of the intestinal flora in resistant or sensitive silkworm varieties. However, some functional factors, such as the biosynthesis, transport, and catabolism of secondary metabolites (e.g., terpenoids and polyketides) and lipid transport and metabolism, were more important in the resistant silkworm variety than in the sensitive variety; thus, these factors may increase the resistance of the host to BmNPV. To summarize, we found significant differences in the composition, abundance, and function of the intestinal flora between resistant and sensitive silkworm varieties, especially after infection with BmNPV, which might be closely related to the resistance of resistant silkworm varieties to BmNPV.
Insights
Silkworm gut bacteria differ significantly between resistant and sensitive varieties, especially after Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infection. These microbial differences, particularly in secondary metabolite and lipid metabolism, may explain BmNPV resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Insect Pathology
- Genomics
Background:
- Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) significantly impacts silkworm health and silk production.
- Understanding the gut microbiome's role in BmNPV resistance is crucial for silkworm breeding and disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the gut microbial composition and function between BmNPV-resistant and BmNPV-sensitive silkworm varieties.
- To identify specific gut bacteria and metabolic pathways associated with BmNPV resistance in silkworms.
Main Methods:
- 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing was employed to analyze the gut microbiota of resistant and sensitive silkworm varieties.
- Cluster analysis and functional enrichment analysis were performed to interpret microbial community structure and potential functions.
Main Results:
- Resistant silkworm varieties exhibited a more abundant gut flora than sensitive varieties, even after BmNPV infection.
- Specific bacteria (e.g., Aureimonas, Peptostreptococcus) and functional pathways (secondary metabolite biosynthesis, lipid metabolism) were more prevalent in resistant varieties, suggesting a role in BmNPV defense.
- While BmNPV infection reduced overall microbial species, key functional components remained stable, with notable differences in metabolic activities between resistant and sensitive groups.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in gut microbiota composition, abundance, and function exist between BmNPV-resistant and BmNPV-sensitive silkworms.
- The gut microbiome, particularly its metabolic capabilities, plays a critical role in conferring resistance to BmNPV infection in silkworms.
