Dual RNAseq analyses at soma and germline levels reveal evolutionary innovations in the elephantiasis-agent < i > Brugia malayi < /i > , and adaptation of its < i > Wolbachia < /i > endosymbionts

by Germain Chevignon, Vincent Foray, Mercedes Maria P érez-Jiménez, Silvia Libro, Matthew Chung, Jeremy M. Foster, Frédéric LandmannBrugia malayi is a human filarial nematode responsible for elephantiasis, a debilitating condition that is part of a broader spectrum of diseases called filariasis, including lymphatic filariasis and river blindness. Almost all filarial nematode species infecting humans live in mutualism withWolbachia endosymbionts, present in somatic hypodermal tissues but also in the female germline which ensures their vertical transmission to the nematode progeny. These α-proteobacteria potentially provision their host with essential metabolites and protect the parasite against the vertebrate immune response. In the absence ofWolbachia wBm,B.malayi females become sterile, and the filarial nematode lifespan is greatly reduced. In order to better comprehend this symbiosis, we investigated the adaptation ofwBm to the host nematode soma and germline, and we characterized these cellular environments to highlight their specificities. Dual RNAseq experiments were performed at the tissue-specific and ovarian developmental stage levels, reaching the resolution of the germline mitotic proliferation and meiotic differentiation stages. We found that mostwBm genes, including putative effectors, are not differentially regulated between infected tissues. However, twowBm genes involved in stress responses are upregulated in the hypodermal chords compared to the germline,...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research