Feminizing Wolbachia: a transcriptomics approach with insights on the immune response genes in Armadillidium vulgare.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Wolbachia are vertically transmitted bacteria known to be the most widespread endosymbiont in arthropods. They induce various alterations of the reproduction of their host, including feminization of genetic males in isopod crustaceans. In the pill bug Armadillidium vulgare, the presence of Wolbachia is also associated with detrimental effects on host fertility and lifespan. Deleterious effects have been demonstrated on hemocyte density, phenoloxidase activity, and natural hemolymph septicemia, suggesting that infected individuals could have defective immune capacities. Since nothing is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in Wolbachia-A. vulgare interactions and its secondary immunocompetence modulation, we developed a transcriptomics strategy and compared A. vu

SUBMITTER: Chevalier F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3287506 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature