<i>Wolbachia</i> induces host cell identity changes and determines symbiotic fate in <i>Drosophila</i>.

ABSTRACT: Many host-associated bacteria influence the differentiation of their eukaryotic host cells. The association between Wolbachia pipientis and Drosophila melanogaster offers a model for understanding how host-microbe gene expression co-evolves. Using Wolbachia-infected Drosophila cell lines, we show that the wMel strain alters host cell states, inducing novel gene expression programs that diverge from known cell types. Transcriptomic co-expression network analysis identified gene expression modules specific to each cell type and infection state, and revealed that wMel tailors its gene expression to host context. In macrophage-like host cells, wMel expresses pathogenic effectors, whereas in neuron-like cells, wMel upregulates metabolic ge

SUBMITTER: Jacobs J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12157682 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature