: Symbiotic microbial relations are extremely pervasive, with examples being found among all levels of the earth's biota. These associations vary with regard to their interactive nature, and are characterized by the benefit (or detriment) imparted to the participants. Beneficial/neutral symbiotic associations are believed to have evolved from free living or parasitic ancestors. Closely related members of taxa can represent all trophic levels: from free-living to parasitic to mutualistic. Analysis of the genetic differences/similarities between these organisms, in reference to their symbiotic status, can provide important insight into the fundamental biological principles involved in shaping these particular relationships. Tsetse flies are the sole vectors of African trypanosomes, (Trypanosoma spp.), eukaryotic parasites that cause devastating diseases in humans and animals in Sub Saharan Africa. Since tsetse harbors three bacterial symbionts in addition to the protozoan trypanosomes, they provide an ideal model for studying symbiotic associations and interactions. Two of these bacterial symbionts (genus Wigglesworthia and genus Sodalis) are of particular research interest since they are closely related to important free-living and pathogenic bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae. The genomes of Wigglesworthia, Sodalis and Trypanosoma spp. have been sequenced, which will facilitate in observing symbiosis at the genetic and functional level. Information on the interaction of tsetse symbionts with each other, with trypanosomes and with the host can be applied to other symbiotic systems (i.e., host-pathogen interactions). This study focuses on the genomic and functional biology of symbiosis in tsetse, in an attempt to understand how host factors/environment influence the architecture of microbial genomes during the evolutionary transition from free-living to symbiotic. This will be accomplished by examining functional biology of symbionts (by gene expression profiling) under different host nutritional states, developmental stages and varied parasite infection status. The role of functions typically associated with pathogenic microorganisms will be pursued in these beneficial microbes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01GM069449-04S1
Application #
7926697
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-TMP (99))
Program Officer
Eckstrand, Irene A
Project Start
2009-09-30
Project End
2011-01-31
Budget Start
2009-09-30
Budget End
2011-01-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$160,295
Indirect Cost
Name
Yale University
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
043207562
City
New Haven
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06520
Weiss, Brian L; Savage, Amy F; Griffith, Bridget C et al. (2014) The peritrophic matrix mediates differential infection outcomes in the tsetse fly gut following challenge with commensal, pathogenic, and parasitic microbes. J Immunol 193:773-82
Aksoy, Serap; Weiss, Brian L; Attardo, Geoff M (2014) Trypanosome Transmission Dynamics in Tsetse. Curr Opin Insect Sci 3:43-49
Balmand, Séverine; Lohs, Claudia; Aksoy, Serap et al. (2013) Tissue distribution and transmission routes for the tsetse fly endosymbionts. J Invertebr Pathol 112 Suppl:S116-22
Wang, Jingwen; Brelsfoard, Corey; Wu, Yineng et al. (2013) Intercommunity effects on microbiome and GpSGHV density regulation in tsetse flies. J Invertebr Pathol 112 Suppl:S32-9
Rio, Rita V M; Symula, Rebecca E; Wang, Jingwen et al. (2012) Insight into the transmission biology and species-specific functional capabilities of tsetse (Diptera: glossinidae) obligate symbiont Wigglesworthia. MBio 3:
Alam, Uzma; Medlock, Jan; Brelsfoard, Corey et al. (2011) Wolbachia symbiont infections induce strong cytoplasmic incompatibility in the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans. PLoS Pathog 7:e1002415
Weiss, Brian; Aksoy, Serap (2011) Microbiome influences on insect host vector competence. Trends Parasitol 27:514-22
Weiss, Brian L; Wang, Jingwen; Aksoy, Serap (2011) Tsetse immune system maturation requires the presence of obligate symbionts in larvae. PLoS Biol 9:e1000619
Pais, Roshan; Lohs, Claudia; Wu, Yineng et al. (2008) The obligate mutualist Wigglesworthia glossinidia influences reproduction, digestion, and immunity processes of its host, the tsetse fly. Appl Environ Microbiol 74:5965-74
Weiss, Brian L; Wu, Yineng; Schwank, Jonathon J et al. (2008) An insect symbiosis is influenced by bacterium-specific polymorphisms in outer-membrane protein A. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105:15088-93

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