Unveiling the conserved mechanism of microsporidian vertical transmission: A comparative study of <i>Nosema</i> infection across host species.

ABSTRACT: Microsporidia, ubiquitous obligate intracellular parasites infecting a wide range of hosts from humans to economically vital animals, employ transovarial transmission (TOT) as their primary vertical transmission mode. Despite its significance, the mechanisms underpinning microsporidian TOT have remained elusive. This study comparatively analyzed the TOT in two distinct systems: Nosema pernyi infecting wild tussah Antheraea pernyi, and Nosema bombycis infecting domestic silkworms Bombyx mori and crop pests Spodoptera litura and Helicoverpa armigera. Our findings reveal that both parasites share a conserved invasion sequence targeting ovariole sheath cells, follicular cells, nurse cells, and ultimately oocytes. Notably, infection of follicular and nu

SUBMITTER: Wang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12758177 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature