Phylogenomics and analysis of shared genes suggest a single transition to mutualism in Wolbachia of nematodes.

ABSTRACT: Wolbachia, endosymbiotic bacteria of the order Rickettsiales, are widespread in arthropods but also present in nematodes. In arthropods, A and B supergroup Wolbachia are generally associated with distortion of host reproduction. In filarial nematodes, including some human parasites, multiple lines of experimental evidence indicate that C and D supergroup Wolbachia are essential for the survival of the host, and here the symbiotic relationship is considered mutualistic. The origin of this mutualistic endosymbiosis is of interest for both basic and applied reasons: How does a parasite become a mutualist? Could intervention in the mutualism aid in treatment of human disease? Correct rooting and high-quality resolution of Wolbachia relationships are required to resolve this question. However,

SUBMITTER: Comandatore F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3787677 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature