wsp Gene Sequences from the Wolbachia of Filarial Nematodes
Abstract
Wolbachia endosymbiotic bacteria are widespread in arthropods and are also present in filarial nematodes. Almost all filarial species so far examined have been found to harbor these endosymbionts. The sequences of only three genes have been published for nematode Wolbachia (i.e., the genes coding for the proteins FtsZ and catalase and for 16S rRNA). Here we present the sequences of the genes coding for the Wolbachia surface protein (WSP) from the endosymbionts of eight species of filaria. Complete gene sequences were obtained from the endosymbionts of two different species, Dirofilaria immitis and Brugia malayi. These sequences allowed us to design general primers for amplification of the wsp gene from the Wolbachia of all filarial species examined. For these species, partial WSP sequences (about 600 base pairs) were obtained with these primers. Phylogenetic analysis groups these nematode wsp sequences into a coherent cluster. Within the nematode cluster, wsp-based Wolbachia phylogeny matches a previous phylogeny obtained with ftsZ gene sequences, with a good consistency of the phylogeny of hosts (nematodes) and symbionts (Wolbachia). In addition, different individuals of the same host species (Dirofilaria immitis and Wuchereria bancrofti) show identical wsp gene sequences.
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D. immitis worms from diverse geographical origins, including Old World and New World, display genetic homogeneity.
“For example, it was demonstrated that D. immitis worms from diverse geographical origins, including Old World and New World locations, display genetic homogeneity (38,182).”
From Human and animal dirofilariasis: The emergence of a zoonotic mosaic (2012) · cites this paper as [38]
Cats with heartworm disease elicit a strong IgG response against D. immitis and Wolbachia.
“A strong IgG response against D. immitis and Wolbachia in cats with heartworm disease is also elicited (38,346).”
From Human and animal dirofilariasis: The emergence of a zoonotic mosaic (2012) · cites this paper as [38]
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- Authors
- Bazzocchi, C., Jamnongluk, W., O'Neill, S. L., Anderson, T. J. C., Genchi, C., & Bandi, C.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- Venue
- Current Microbiology
- Published
- 2000-08-21
- Volume
- 41
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 96-100
- ISSN
- 0343-8651 (ISSN-L)
- 1432-0991
- OpenAlex
- W2091170781
- Cited by
- 87
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 5.46
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Current Microbiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5r01ai040620-02)
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (AI 40620)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Nematode management and characterization studies
- Keywords
- Wolbachia, filarial nematodes, wsp gene, Wolbachia surface protein, Dirofilaria immitis, Brugia malayi, Wuchereria bancrofti, endosymbiotic bacteria, phylogenetic analysis
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins, Cloning, Molecular, Dirofilaria, Genes, Bacterial, Molecular Sequence Data, Nematoda, Phylogeny, Symbiosis, Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, DNA Primers, Wolbachia
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