Wolbachia bacterium present in almost 70% of insects has the ability to reduce the pathogen transmitting capacity of mosquitoes. The molecular mechanism involved in interactions between Wolbachia, the insect, and the pathogen is being studied here to develop new ways to prevent mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and zika virus.
Researchers from INRA, CIRAD, CEA, the University of Montpellier, and Chicago and Vanderbilt Universities in the United States have developed an innovative method for analyzing the genome of the Wolbachia bacterium. This endosymbiotic* bacterium infects more than 70% of insects and is capable of influencing insect transmission of pathogens such as dengue or Zika virus.
Economic Burden Of Dengue In Burkina Faso, Kenya, And Cambodia Studied
What could be the economic burden of dengue in places like Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Cambodia in Africa? An answer to this question is being provided in this study.
Advertisement
‘The discovery of this plasmid DNA in Wolbachia thanks to innovative metagenomics approaches will enable investigation of the development of a new genetic engineering tool for this bacterium.’
Tweet it Now
By sequencing and studying all DNA present in the ovaries of Culex pipiens mosquitoes, the researchers identified for the first time a novel mobile genetic element in this bacterium. This discovery opens up new research avenues to better understand interactions between the Wolbachia bacterium and its host mosquito, as well as its role in pathogen transmission. This research, published in Nature Communications, provides opportunities for the biological control of insect-borne pathogens, a major public health challenge.
The incidence of diseases and the risks associated with pathogens transmitted by mosquitoes, such as the parasite Plasmodium falciparum (an agent of malaria) and viruses including dengue, Zika, chikungunya, West Nile and Rift Valley fever, are growing throughout the world. The use of insecticides is the most common method for controlling mosquito populations, but resistance to the different types of pesticides currently in use is widespread. In this context, new tools to control pathogen transmission in natural populations of mosquitoes based on the use of their bacteria, such as Wolbachia, are being developed worldwide.
![Patient With Severe Dengue Type Disorder Saved by Fortis Doctors]( "Patient With Severe Dengue Type Disorder Saved by Fortis Doctors")
A 12-year-old boy from Gurugram got a new lease of life after doctors at the Fortis Hospital successfully treated the patient suffering from a severe form of dengue.
The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia, which is found in more than 70% of insects, is capable of altering their reproduction and reducing the transmission of pathogens in numerous species of mosquito (for example Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae ). It is currently used in a number of major biological vector control programmes, such as the global programme "Eliminate Dengue." However, the molecular mechanisms involved in interactions between Wolbachia, the insect, and the pathogen are still poorly understood.
An innovative method for analyzing the genome of Wolbachia developed at the individual level
With the goal of better understanding the role of the endosymbiotic bacterium in the transmission of pathogens and dissecting the underlying molecular mechanisms, an international team of scientists from INRA, CIRAD, CEA, and the Universities of Montpellier, Chicago and Vanderbilt conducted metagenomic**analyses of mosquitoes in order to reconstruct the genomes of the Wolbachia bacterium through an innovative approach. For the first time, they obtained sequences of Wolbachia from the ovaries of Culex pipiens captured in France, working with individual mosquitoes rather than with pools, as is the case with conventional methods. This new approach identified novel aspects of the genome of the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia and of its mobile genetic elements.
A plasmid found for the first time in Wolbachia
The analyses conducted using short- and long-read sequencing data identified an extrachromosomal circular piece of DNA, previously unknown in Wolbachia, called pWCP (Plasmid of Wolbachia in Culex pipiens ). This circular DNA has 14 genes and appears to be present in several copies in the bacterium, in addition to its chromosome. Searching for pWCP in previously published data confirmed its presence on a broader scale in specimens of Culex pipiens collected in North Africa.
The discovery of this plasmid DNA in Wolbachia thanks to innovative metagenomics approaches will enable investigation of the development of a new genetic engineering tool for this bacterium. This discovery could provide new generic knowledge of the mechanisms involved in interactions between the bacterium, the insect and the pathogens it transmits, and more specifically of the mechanisms through which the bacterium regulates the transmission of these pathogens. This knowledge would have direct applications for biological control of the insect vectors of pathogens responsible for some major animal and human diseases.
Source: Eurekalert
Patient With Severe Dengue Type Disorder Saved by Fortis Doctors
A 12-year-old boy from Gurugram got a new lease of life after doctors at the Fortis Hospital successfully treated the patient suffering from a severe form of dengue.
Advertisement
The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia, which is found in more than 70% of insects, is capable of altering their reproduction and reducing the transmission of pathogens in numerous species of mosquito (for example Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae ). It is currently used in a number of major biological vector control programmes, such as the global programme "Eliminate Dengue." However, the molecular mechanisms involved in interactions between Wolbachia, the insect, and the pathogen are still poorly understood.
An innovative method for analyzing the genome of Wolbachia developed at the individual level
With the goal of better understanding the role of the endosymbiotic bacterium in the transmission of pathogens and dissecting the underlying molecular mechanisms, an international team of scientists from INRA, CIRAD, CEA, and the Universities of Montpellier, Chicago and Vanderbilt conducted metagenomic**analyses of mosquitoes in order to reconstruct the genomes of the Wolbachia bacterium through an innovative approach. For the first time, they obtained sequences of Wolbachia from the ovaries of Culex pipiens captured in France, working with individual mosquitoes rather than with pools, as is the case with conventional methods. This new approach identified novel aspects of the genome of the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia and of its mobile genetic elements.
A plasmid found for the first time in Wolbachia
The analyses conducted using short- and long-read sequencing data identified an extrachromosomal circular piece of DNA, previously unknown in Wolbachia, called pWCP (Plasmid of Wolbachia in Culex pipiens ). This circular DNA has 14 genes and appears to be present in several copies in the bacterium, in addition to its chromosome. Searching for pWCP in previously published data confirmed its presence on a broader scale in specimens of Culex pipiens collected in North Africa.
The discovery of this plasmid DNA in Wolbachia thanks to innovative metagenomics approaches will enable investigation of the development of a new genetic engineering tool for this bacterium. This discovery could provide new generic knowledge of the mechanisms involved in interactions between the bacterium, the insect and the pathogens it transmits, and more specifically of the mechanisms through which the bacterium regulates the transmission of these pathogens. This knowledge would have direct applications for biological control of the insect vectors of pathogens responsible for some major animal and human diseases.
Source: Eurekalert
Fetal Damage Assured If Zika Virus Infection Follows Dengue During Pregnancy
Zika virus infection after a dengue infection during pregnancy may cause some severe damage to the unborn baby.
Advertisement
 Higher The Dengue Infection Antibodies, Higher The Protection Against ZikaAntibodies created during Prior dengue infection could protect the body from the Zika virus, finds a new study. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Latest Research News
The International Space Station will be used to carry out experiments seeking to improve understanding of incurable child brain tumors and the muscle aging process.
How many people in the UK have misophonia? In a representative sample study, most people had at least some irritation upon hearing trigger sounds.
Routine eye-checkups and mass screenings enable early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. Late-stage glaucoma diagnosis leads to blindness.
Brain plasticity following blindness leads to superior ability in sensing signals from the heart, which has implications for bodily awareness and emotional processing.
A group of scientists were awarded £1.3 million to create a new “point of care testing” kit that detects Alzheimer's disease biomarkers.