scholarly journals Matching the supply of bacterial nutrients to the nutritional demand of the animal host

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1791) ◽  
pp. 20141163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calum W. Russell ◽  
Anton Poliakov ◽  
Meena Haribal ◽  
Georg Jander ◽  
Klaas J. van Wijk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Proteomics ◽  
Acyrthosiphon Pisum ◽  
Feedback Inhibition ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Host Proteins ◽  
Buchnera Aphidicola ◽  
Symbiotic Microorganisms ◽  
Precursor Supply ◽  
Host Regulation

Various animals derive nutrients from symbiotic microorganisms with much-reduced genomes, but it is unknown whether, and how, the supply of these nutrients is regulated. Here, we demonstrate that the production of essential amino acids (EAAs) by the bacterium Buchnera aphidicola in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum is elevated when aphids are reared on diets from which that EAA are omitted, demonstrating that Buchnera scale EAA production to host demand. Quantitative proteomics of bacteriocytes (host cells bearing Buchnera ) revealed that these metabolic changes are not accompanied by significant change in Buchnera or host proteins, suggesting that EAA production is regulated post-translationally. Bacteriocytes in aphids reared on diet lacking the EAA methionine had elevated concentrations of both methionine and the precursor cystathionine, indicating that methionine production is promoted by precursor supply and is not subject to feedback inhibition by methionine. Furthermore, methionine production by isolated Buchnera increased with increasing cystathionine concentration. We propose that Buchnera metabolism is poised for EAA production at certain maximal rates, and the realized release rate is determined by precursor supply from the host. The incidence of host regulation of symbiont nutritional function via supply of key nutritional inputs in other symbioses remains to be investigated.

scholarly journals Further evidence that mechanisms of host/symbiont integration are dissimilar in the maternal versus embryonic Acyrthosiphon pisum bacteriome

EvoDevo ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Celeste R. Banfill ◽  
Alex C. C. Wilson ◽  
Hsiao-ling Lu
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Acyrthosiphon Pisum ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Developmental Time ◽  
Follicular Epithelium ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Buchnera Aphidicola ◽  
Bacterial Endosymbionts ◽  
Asexual Embryogenesis

Abstract Background Host/symbiont integration is a signature of evolutionarily ancient, obligate endosymbioses. However, little is known about the cellular and developmental mechanisms of host/symbiont integration at the molecular level. Many insects possess obligate bacterial endosymbionts that provide essential nutrients. To advance understanding of the developmental and metabolic integration of hosts and endosymbionts, we track the localization of a non-essential amino acid transporter, ApNEAAT1, across asexual embryogenesis in the aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Previous work in adult bacteriomes revealed that ApNEAAT1 functions to exchange non-essential amino acids at the A. pisum/Buchnera aphidicola symbiotic interface. Driven by amino acid concentration gradients, ApNEAAT1 moves proline, serine, and alanine from A. pisum to Buchnera and cysteine from Buchnera to A. pisum. Here, we test the hypothesis that ApNEAAT1 is localized to the symbiotic interface during asexual embryogenesis. Results During A. pisum asexual embryogenesis, ApNEAAT1 does not localize to the symbiotic interface. We observed ApNEAAT1 localization to the maternal follicular epithelium, the germline, and, in late-stage embryos, to anterior neural structures and insect immune cells (hemocytes). We predict that ApNEAAT1 provisions non-essential amino acids to developing oocytes and embryos, as well as to the brain and related neural structures. Additionally, ApNEAAT1 may perform roles related to host immunity. Conclusions Our work provides further evidence that the embryonic and adult bacteriomes of asexual A. pisum are not equivalent. Future research is needed to elucidate the developmental time point at which the bacteriome reaches maturity.

scholarly journals Ploidy dynamics in aphid host cells harboring bacterial symbionts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomonari Nozaki ◽  
Shuji Shigenobu
Keyword(s):  
Acyrthosiphon Pisum ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Large Cell ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Bacterial Symbionts ◽  
Buchnera Aphidicola ◽  
Ploidy Levels ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Aphid Host

AbstractAphids have evolved bacteriocytes or symbiotic host cells that harbor the obligate mutualistic bacterium Buchnera aphidicola. Because of the large cell size (approximately 100 μm in diameter) of bacteriocytes and their pivotal role in nutritional symbiosis, researchers have considered that these cells are highly polyploid and assumed that bacteriocyte polyploidy may be essential for the symbiotic relationship between the aphid and the bacterium. However, little is known about the ploidy levels and dynamics of aphid bacteriocytes. Here, we quantitatively analyzed the ploidy levels in the bacteriocytes of the pea-aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. Image-based fluorometry revealed the hyper polyploidy of the bacteriocytes ranging from 16- to 256-ploidy throughout the lifecycle. Bacteriocytes of adult parthenogenetic viviparous females were mainly 64-128C DNA levels, while those of sexual morphs (oviparous females and males) were consisted of 64C, and 32-64C cells, respectively. During post-embryonic development of viviparous females, the ploidy level of bacteriocytes increased substantially, from 16-32C at birth to 128-256C in actively reproducing adults. These results suggest that the ploidy levels are dynamically regulated among phenotypes and during development. Our comprehensive and quantitative data provides a foundation for future studies to understand the functional roles and biological significance of the polyploidy of insect bacteriocytes.

scholarly journals Prephenate Dehydratase from the Aphid Endosymbiont (Buchnera) Displays Changes in the Regulatory Domain That Suggest Its Desensitization to Inhibition by Phenylalanine

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (10) ◽  
pp. 2967-2969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuria Jiménez ◽  
Fernando González-Candelas ◽  
Francisco J. Silva
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Acyrthosiphon Pisum ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Chorismate Mutase ◽  
Regulatory Domain ◽  
Buchnera Aphidicola ◽  
Prephenate Dehydratase ◽  
Bacterial Endosymbiont

ABSTRACT Buchnera aphidicola, the prokaryotic endosymbiont of aphids, complements dietary deficiencies with the synthesis and provision of several essential amino acids. We have cloned and sequenced a region of the genome of B. aphidicola isolated from Acyrthosiphon pisum which includes the two-domainaroQ/pheA gene. This gene encodes the bifunctional chorismate mutase-prephenate dehydratase protein, which plays a central role in l-phenylalanine biosynthesis. Two changes involved in the overproduction of this amino acid have been detected. First, the absence of an attenuator region suggests a constitutive expression of this gene. Second, the regulatory domain of the Buchneraprephenate dehydratase shows changes in the ESRP sequence, which is involved in the allosteric binding of phenylalanine and is strongly conserved in prephenate dehydratase proteins from practically all known organisms. These changes suggest the desensitization of the enzyme to inhibition by phenylalanine and would permit the bacterial endosymbiont to overproduce phenylalanine.

scholarly journals RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase as a Target for COVID-19 Drug Discovery

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1141-1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhu ◽  
Catherine Z. Chen ◽  
Kirill Gorshkov ◽  
Miao Xu ◽  
Donald C. Lo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Host Proteins ◽  
Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase ◽  
Global Health Issue ◽  
Repurposed Drugs ◽  
Viral Enzyme ◽  
Target Effects

COVID-19 respiratory disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly become a global health issue since it emerged in December 2019. While great global efforts are underway to develop vaccines and to discover or repurpose therapeutic agents for this disease, as of this writing only the nucleoside drug remdesivir has been approved under Emergency Use Authorization to treat COVID-19. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP), a viral enzyme for viral RNA replication in host cells, is one of the most intriguing and promising drug targets for SARS-CoV-2 drug development. Because RdRP is a viral enzyme with no host cell homologs, selective SARS-CoV-2 RdRP inhibitors can be developed that have improved potency and fewer off-target effects against human host proteins and thus are safer and more effective therapeutics for treating COVID-19. This review focuses on biochemical enzyme and cell-based assays for RdRPs that could be used in high-throughput screening to discover new and repurposed drugs against SARS-CoV-2.

Invasion of Toxoplasma gondii occurs by active penetration of the host cell

1995 ◽  
Vol 108 (6) ◽  
pp. 2457-2464 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.H. Morisaki ◽  
J.E. Heuser ◽  
L.D. Sibley
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Host Proteins ◽  
Host Cell Membrane ◽  
Membrane Ruffling ◽  
Obligate Intracellular ◽  
Obligate Intracellular Parasite

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects a wide variety of vertebrate cells including macrophages. We have used a combination of video microscopy and fluorescence localization to examine the entry of Toxoplasma into macrophages and nonphagocytic host cells. Toxoplasma actively invaded host cells without inducing host cell membrane ruffling, actin microfilament reorganization, or tyrosine phosphorylation of host proteins. Invasion occurred rapidly and within 25–40 seconds the parasite penetrated into a tight-fitting vacuole formed by invagination of the plasma membrane. In contrast, during phagocytosis of Toxoplasma, extensive membrane ruffling captured the parasite in a loose-fitting phagosome that formed over a period of 2–4 minutes. Phagocytosis involved both reorganization of the host cytoskeleton and tyrosine phosphorylation of host proteins. In some cases, parasites that were first internalized by phagocytosis, were able to escape from the phagosome by a process analogous to invasion. These studies reveal that active penetration of the host cell by Toxoplasma is fundamentally different from phagocytosis or induced endocytic uptake. The novel ability to penetrate the host cell likely contributes to the capability of Toxoplasma-containing vacuoles to avoid endocytic processing.

scholarly journals H2S as a potential defense against COVID-19?

2020 ◽  
Vol 319 (2) ◽  
pp. C244-C249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangdong Yang
Keyword(s):  
Virus Assembly ◽  
Cell Entry ◽  
Lung Damage ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Preclinical Studies ◽  
Preventative Treatment ◽  
Host Proteins ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Antioxidative Stress ◽  
Anti Inflammation

The outbreak of COVID-19 pneumonia caused by a new coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2) is posing a global health emergency and has led to more than 380,000 deaths worldwide. The cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 depends on two host proteins angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). There is currently no vaccine available and also no effective drug for the treatment of COVID-19. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as a novel gasotransmitter has been shown to protect against lung damage via its anti-inflammation, antioxidative stress, antiviral, prosurvival, and antiaging effects. In light of the research advances on H2S signaling in biology and medicine, this review proposed H2S as a potential defense against COVID-19. It is suggested that H2S may block SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells by interfering with ACE2 and TMPRSS2, inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication by attenuating virus assembly/release, and protect SARS-CoV-2-induced lung damage by suppressing immune response and inflammation development. Preclinical studies and clinical trials with slow-releasing H2S donor(s) or the activators of endogenous H2S-generating enzymes should be considered as a preventative treatment or therapy for COVID-19.

scholarly journals Codon usage bias and tRNA over-expression in Buchnera aphidicola after aromatic amino acid nutritional stress on its host Acyrthosiphon pisum

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (16) ◽  
pp. 4583-4592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hubert Charles ◽  
Federica Calevro ◽  
José Vinuelas ◽  
Jean-Michel Fayard ◽  
Yvan Rahbe
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Codon Usage ◽  
Codon Usage Bias ◽  
Aromatic Amino Acid ◽  
Acyrthosiphon Pisum ◽  
Nutritional Stress ◽  
Buchnera Aphidicola ◽  
Over Expression

scholarly journals Symbiotic bacteria enable insect to use a nutritionally inadequate diet

2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (1658) ◽  
pp. 987-991 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Akman Gündüz ◽  
A.E Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Essential Amino Acid ◽  
Acyrthosiphon Pisum ◽  
Amino Acid Content ◽  
Symbiotic Bacterium ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Symbiotic Bacteria ◽  
Protein Amino Acid ◽  
Phloem Sap

Animals generally require a dietary supply of various nutrients (vitamins, essential amino acids, etc.) because their biosynthetic capabilities are limited. The capacity of aphids to use plant phloem sap, with low essential amino acid content, has been attributed to their symbiotic bacteria, Buchnera aphidicola , which can synthesize these nutrients; but this has not been demonstrated empirically. We demonstrate here that phloem sap obtained from the severed stylets of pea aphids Acyrthosiphon pisum feeding on Vicia faba plants generally provided inadequate amounts of at least one essential amino acid to support aphid growth. Complementary analyses using aphids reared on chemically defined diets with each amino acid individually omitted revealed that the capacity of the symbiotic bacterium B. aphidicola to synthesize essential amino acids exceeded the dietary deficit of all phloem amino acids except methionine. It is proposed that this shortfall of methionine was met by aphid usage of the non-protein amino acid 5-methylmethionine in the phloem sap. This study provides the first quantitative demonstration that bacterial symbiosis can meet the nutritional demand of plant-reared aphids. It shows how symbiosis with micro-organisms has enabled this group of animals to escape from the constraint of requiring a balanced dietary supply of amino acids.

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