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Background <p><i>Wolbachia</i> bacteria of arthropods are at the forefront of basic and translational research on multipartite host-symbiont-pathogen interactions. These vertically transmitted microbes are the most widespread endosymbionts on the planet due to factors including host reproductive manipulation and fitness benefits. Importantly, some strains of <i>Wolbachia</i> can inhibit viral pathogenesis within and between arthropod hosts. Mosquitoes carrying the <i>w</i>Mel <i>Wolbachia</i> strain of <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i> have a greatly reduced capacity to spread viruses like dengue and Zika to humans. While significant research efforts have focused on viruses, relatively little attention has been given to <i>Wolbachia</i>-fungal interactions despite the ubiquity of fungal entomopathogens in nature.</p> Results <p>Here, we demonstrate that <i>Wolbachia</i> increase the longevity of their <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i> hosts when challenged with a spectrum of yeast and filamentous fungal pathogens. We find that this pattern can vary based on host genotype, sex, and fungal species. Further, <i>Wolbachia</i> correlates with higher fertility and reduced pathogen titers during initial fungal infection, indicating a significant fitness benefit. Finally, RNA sequencing results show altered expression of many immune and stress response genes in the context of <i>Wolbachia</i> and fungal infection, suggesting host immunity may be involved in the mechanism.</p> Conclusions <p>This study demonstrates <i>Wolbachia</i>’s protective role in diverse fungal pathogen interactions and determines that the phenotype is broad, but with several variables that influence both the presence and strength of the phenotype. It also is a critical step forward to understanding how symbionts can protect their hosts from a variety of pathogens.</p>

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Wolbachia enhances the survival of Drosophila infected with fungal pathogens

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月11日

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  • Jessamyn I. Perlmutter,
  • Aylar Atadurdyyeva,
  • Margaret E. Schedl,
  • Robert L. Unckless

摘要

Background

Wolbachia bacteria of arthropods are at the forefront of basic and translational research on multipartite host-symbiont-pathogen interactions. These vertically transmitted microbes are the most widespread endosymbionts on the planet due to factors including host reproductive manipulation and fitness benefits. Importantly, some strains of Wolbachia can inhibit viral pathogenesis within and between arthropod hosts. Mosquitoes carrying the wMel Wolbachia strain of Drosophila melanogaster have a greatly reduced capacity to spread viruses like dengue and Zika to humans. While significant research efforts have focused on viruses, relatively little attention has been given to Wolbachia-fungal interactions despite the ubiquity of fungal entomopathogens in nature.

Results

Here, we demonstrate that Wolbachia increase the longevity of their Drosophila melanogaster hosts when challenged with a spectrum of yeast and filamentous fungal pathogens. We find that this pattern can vary based on host genotype, sex, and fungal species. Further, Wolbachia correlates with higher fertility and reduced pathogen titers during initial fungal infection, indicating a significant fitness benefit. Finally, RNA sequencing results show altered expression of many immune and stress response genes in the context of Wolbachia and fungal infection, suggesting host immunity may be involved in the mechanism.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates Wolbachia’s protective role in diverse fungal pathogen interactions and determines that the phenotype is broad, but with several variables that influence both the presence and strength of the phenotype. It also is a critical step forward to understanding how symbionts can protect their hosts from a variety of pathogens.