Brugia malayi gene expression in response to the targeting of the Wolbachia endosymbiont by tetracycline treatment.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Brugia malayi, like most human filarial parasite species, harbors an endosymbiotic bacterium of the genus Wolbachia. Elimination of the endosymbiont leads to sterilization of the adult female. Previous biochemical and genetic studies have established that communication with its endobacterium is essential for survival of the worm.

Methodology/principal findings

We used electron microscopy to examine the effects of antibiotic treatment on Wolbachia cell structure. We have also used microarray and quantitative RT-PCR analyses to examine the regulation of the B. malayi transcripts altered in response to the anti-Wolbachia treatment. Microscopy of worms taken from animals treated with tetracycline for 14 and 21 days (14 d and 21 d) demonstrated substantial morphologic

SUBMITTER: Ghedin E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2754610 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature