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Comprehensive characterization of the impairing effects of Nosema bombycis on the host digestive integrity and

Lu Cao1,2, Siying Yin1,2, Dexu Liu1,2

  • 1The State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.

Msphere
|July 22, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Nosema bombycis infection severely impacts silkworm digestion and growth by damaging the gut lining and altering the microbiome. Silkworm chitin deacetylase BmCDA8 is crucial for defense, with pathogen proteins potentially targeting it.

Area of Science:

  • Insect Pathology
  • Microbiology
  • Proteomics

Background:

  • Nosema bombycis (N. bombycis) infection causes significant growth retardation and indigestion in silkworms (Bombyx mori).
  • The digestive tract serves as the primary route for N. bombycis infection, necessitating a detailed investigation into its effects on this system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively investigate the disturbances within the silkworm digestive tract caused by N. bombycis infection.
  • To identify key host-pathogen interactions and potential targets for disease control.

Main Methods:

  • Electron microscopy to assess structural integrity of the peritrophic membrane and midgut.
  • Quantitative proteomics to identify dysregulated proteins in the midgut.
  • 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing for gut microbiome profiling.
  • Gene knockdown experiments to evaluate the role of BmCDA8.

Main Results:

  • N. bombycis infection caused structural damage to the peritrophic membrane and midgut, with approximately 2,893 dysregulated proteins identified.
  • Significant alterations in gut microbiome composition (bacterial and eukaryotic) were observed.
  • Silkworm chitin deacetylase BmCDA8 was identified as a key protective enzyme; its knockdown increased pathogen load and barrier permeability.
  • 24 N. bombycis proteins were predicted to interact with BmCDA8.

Conclusions:

  • N. bombycis infection severely impairs silkworm intestinal integrity, alters gut microbiome, and dysregulates digestive enzymes.
  • BmCDA8 plays a critical protective role against N. bombycis infection.
  • N. bombycis effector proteins may directly target BmCDA8 to facilitate infection, offering potential targets for novel disease control strategies.
Keywords:
Nosema bombycisbarrier integritychitin deacetylasedigestive capabilitygut microbiome

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